New exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum takes you to the streets of Paris in the 19th century

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Always New: The Posters of Jules Chéret is a new exhibit that opens Friday, June 3 at the Milwaukee Art Museum. When many people think of old Paris, Chéret's work comes to mind.

Chéret was the original French poster maker. In the late 1800's he created advertisements for everyday products, travel, fashion and more.

"He was really the first artist to bring these very large scale colorful posters to the streets of Paris he started it all," said the exhibit curator, Nikki Otten. 

They were colorful and large, and could be seen all around the streets of Paris-- from the windows of department stores to train stations. 

We’re still showing off the Chéret exhibit at @MilwaukeeArt for another hour @CBS58. Or you can come see it for yourself starting today! pic.twitter.com/zjjkUJiABs

— Amanda Becker (@AmandaBeckerTV) June 3, 2022

The Milwaukee Art Museum was gifted more than 600 Chéret posters from a local couple who collected them for many years. 

"That makes the Milwaukee Art Museum home to the largest collection of Jules Chéret posters in the United States," said Otten. 

The museum says this exhibit is more immersive than the usual exhibits on display.  Each room is organized by a theme, from cabaret to consumer goods, and the passageways to get there are decorated with the sounds and sights of 19th century Paris. 

More than 100 pieces from the collection are on display.