À Saint-Lazare

À Saint-Lazare by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) is an important early graphic work created in 1885, preceding the iconic posters for which Lautrec would become internationally known. Classified as a print, the piece was executed as a lithograph in black on tan wove paper. This choice of medium, utilizing the stark contrast inherent in black-and-white printmaking, allowed Lautrec to focus intensely on expressive line and compositional tension—skills central to his subsequent output.

Created in France, the print signals the artist's engagement with the rapidly changing landscape of Parisian urban life. The title refers to the Saint-Lazare district, known for its busy railway station and surrounding hospitals, serving as a microcosm of modern French society that attracted many Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists. Though the image is succinct, it reflects Lautrec’s observational genius, capturing a fleeting moment characteristic of contemporary life. Unlike his contemporaries who often utilized color, Lautrec’s mastery is evident in the dynamic draughtsmanship achieved through the simple economy of the black lithographic crayon.

This work serves as a crucial document of the artist's formative period when he was transitioning from academic training to a deep involvement with the world of popular entertainment and marginalized figures. The early lithographic technique shows his readiness to embrace innovative print methods that facilitated the broader dissemination of modern art. This particular impression of À Saint-Lazare is held in the comprehensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it provides critical context for understanding the development of modern prints in the late nineteenth century. Due to its historical significance and age, high-resolution images of this work are often available through public domain collections.