In 1902 , Theodore Foucar opened Foucar's Cafe at 429 Walnut St. The interior boasted of gold-gilt mirrors and a polished mahogany bar trimmed with Brazilian onyx and Vermont marble. Free roast beef lunches were given out. One room was called the rathskeller. It was styled in eighteenth century Flemish with black oak walls, mounted elk heads and a large fireplace dominating one end of the room. A friend and supporter of the art community, Foucar adorned his walls with paintings by many of the local artists including John Rettig, Henry Farney and sculptor, Clement Barnhorn. Frank Duveneck's pastel of a reclining nude female called "Siesta" hung opposite the main counter. Although women were not allowed entrance to saloons at this time, the ladies of Cincinnati heard so much about this painting that they demanded that it be removed. Foucar donated the painting to the Cincinnati art Museum, saying "That girl was too naked for my saloon, but she was not too naked for high society." This painting, plus all the others, can still be seen at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Entrance
Main
Counter
Wall opposite Main Counter
Drawing of
Rathskeller
Rathskeller
Drawing of above
Frank Duveneck's Siesta
These are not postcards