My Paris-Le Lapin Agile
My Paris is from my photo collection…candid photos from the days before digital...we took this just outside, as we soaked up the atmosphere, and dreamed of seeing Picasso walk in….
Lapin Agile is a famous Montmartre cabaret, at 22 Rue des Saules, Paris, France.
It was originally called “Cabaret des Assassins”. Tradition relates that the cabaret received this name because a band of assassins broke in and killed the owner’s son. The cabaret was more than twenty years old when, in 1875, the artist Andre Gill painted the sign that was to suggest its permanent name. It was a picture of a rabbit jumping out of a saucepan, and residents began calling their neighborhood night-club “Le Lapin à Gill”, “Gill’s rabbit”.
Over time the name evolved into “Cabaret Au Lapin Agile”, or, the Nimble Rabbit Cabaret. At the turn of the twentieth century, the Lapin Agile was a favorite spot for struggling artists and writers, including Picasso, Modigliani, Apollinaire, and Utrillo.
At the Lapin Agile By Picasso
In the celebrated work, now an icon of life in bohemian Paris at the turn of the century, Picasso depicts himself dressed as a Harlequin, accompanied by Germaine Pichot. Frédé, the owner of the cabaret Le Lapin Agile, strums his guitar in the background. Picasso’s great friend Casagemas committed suicide in 1901 because his love for Pichot had not been returned. This picture was painted four years later.
Photo of the Lapin Agile in 1872
My Paris-Le Lapin Agile belongs to the following groups:
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Avril Brand
Ah, there is something so special about the old photo’s… and I love the history, Janis!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you Avril…I just decided to day to start adding some things to the Paris group, as I’ve been a member for ages and had not posted anything before this…
Joanne Bradley
Oh such a cool photo Janis!
Janis Zroback replied
Taken with a 35mm Olympus OM 1….I was just looking at it and it feels so heavy now…I guess it’s on the way to being an antique.. :))
I have so many lovely photos taken with it, but we don’t use it anymore, and have not used it in many years…
John Fish
so rich with textures, charm and history. I love it
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you John…we just stood outside lapping up the atmosphere before going in…
Ronald Rockman
Fish said it all, go fish !!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you Rock…
Janis Zroback
The Lapin Agile is located in the center of the Montmartre district in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, behind and slightly northwest of Sacre Coeur Basilica. Since this was the heart of artistic Paris at the turn of the twentieth century, there was much discussion at the cabaret about “the meaning of art”.
Au Lapin Agile also was popular with questionable Montmartre characters including pimps, eccentrics, simple down-and-outers, a contingent of local anarchists, as well as with students from the Latin Quarter, all mixed with a sprinkling of well-heeled bourgeois out on a lark.
Pablo Picasso’s 1905 oil painting “At the Lapin Agile” helped to make this cabaret world famous. The cabaret was often captured on canvas by another Montmartre artist, Maurice Utrillo.
In 1993 American comedian and entertainer, Steve Martin, wrote a play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, which had a successful run in Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. The play depicted an imagined meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein at the Lapin Agile.
Today, many people visit the Lapin Agile, sitting at wooden tables where initials have been carved into the surfaces for decades. Located in a stone building on the steep and cobbled Rue des Saules, the cabaret presents visitors with French songs dating back as far as the fifteenth century...Wiki.
Lucindawind
oh my this is so beautiful !
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you Lucinda…the camera’s getting on now though…
Joanne Bradley
Just make sure you keep it Janis! I had an old and I mean old 30-35 yr old Canon 35mm, which I just loved! But my husband lent it to my son a few years back, who under the impression we gave it to him, sold it! :-( But recently I acquired a Minolta 370-X that is about 20 yrs old and is in working condition. I just downloaded the manual and intend to try it out… The quality of the photos is always so good on these old cameras but the inconveniences like weight and selection of photos in the camera is annoying but I am up to the challenge….
Janis Zroback replied
I won’t..it’s in mint condition and is about 38 years old..
Romo
lovely image:)
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you Romo…
Pat Yager
Great work, Janis! So very French!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much….glad you liked it.
jayview
gorgeous colours and textures!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Jay…
David Roman
I love Paris too lovely shot MMs Janis
Janis Zroback replied
I have tons of shots from all over Europe…maybe I’ll open another acct. and call it Europe.. :))... glad you like it David…the older cameras did do a good job…
Taschja Hattingh
We were at Mont Matre last year but we didn’t see this beauty!!!! Great shot! A jewel revealed! Thank you!
Janis Zroback replied
Now you have to go back.. :))..it has been painted so many times and by so many people, famous and otherwise…I was not a painter when I took this shot…I wish I had been, but maybe it means I too have to return…I’m glad you like it.
Alison Pearce
Beautiful!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Alison..
Neophytos
Superb and so much history!! you done it justice Janis !!
!!!! I’m sure some of those Artists would be smiling at you !!!
Janis Zroback replied
Thanks so much Neophytos….I had hoped to see maybe the ghost of one of them, but it was not to be…
Malcolm Chant
WOW this is an increable capture, I know Paris but I do not reconize this, but it’s so beautiful.
Janis Zroback replied
It was the main reaon we went to Montmartre that particular day…I could not help visiting a place that was so famous…it’s got it’s own website now, with paintings from a great number of artists famous and not so famous…you have to g back now…I’m glad you like it…thanks so much.
Malcolm Chant
Your Welcome.
PPPhotoArt
Janis this is just amazing
gorgeous work of art
and very inspiring as so many
of the greatest artists led quite
tragic lives—your work rocks
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much..I’m very pleased you like it…I don’t post many of my photos except to illustrate my writing, but I plan to add more to the art pages in future…I have much more to learn about photography…also thank you for adding me to your watchlist…
Anne-Marie Bok...
Good picture representing Montmarte
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Anne-Marie…I’m so happy to be a part of the Group…
webbie
Just beautiful….awsome job my Friend :) hugggz
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Thelma…
JKKimball
beautiful image Janis ~~!!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much JK…
Stzar
oh i can totally see Picasso walking in
Beautiful capture Janis
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you Karon…I just aquired a scanner, so now I can post older photos…
Stzar
i also love the history you have provided ~ it’s fascinating reading
what a beautiful place !!
Janis Zroback replied
If you ever go to Montmartre, be sure to visit this wonderful inn.
gail anderson
Janis Zroback replied
This is wonderful news…thank you so much Gail…
Patricia Montg...
A gorgeous Paris scene! Well done! Congrats on the feature in JPG Cast-offs!
madvlad
ole jumpinh bunny it self-yes much went on there and much art was talked-fought over and friends empiedmany a bottle
Janis Zroback replied
A wonderful spot with many memories…