Spencer Museum of Art The University of Kansas

Ubu's Almanac: Alfred Jarry and the Graphic Arts

Théâtre des Pantins, 1898

Spencer Museum of Art &
Virginia and Ira Jackson Collection, Houston

From 1896 until 1898 Jarry participated in a puppet theater, the Théâtre des pantins, with several friends associated with the Théâtre de l'Oeuvre: the artist Pierre Bonnard, the musician Claude Terrasse, and the poet, Franc-Nohain. Jarry produced several sketchy lithographs in conjunction with the productions of the Théâtre des pantins, all of them associated with a marionette production of Ubu Roi. In addition to an announcement for this production, Jarry also produced lithographic covers for three of the nine albums of the Répertoire de pantins, with sheet music by Clause Terrasse. These include the Ouverture d'Ubu Roi, (Opening of Ubu Roi), the Marche des Polonais (Polish March), and the Chanson du Décervelage (Disembraining Song).