Adolphe (The Sad Young Man)

Adolphe (The Sad Young Man) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, executed in 1894, is a characteristic example of the artist's intimate lithographic portraiture. This specific impression is a crayon lithograph, printed subtly in an olive green ink. The work was produced on high-quality Japan paper, distinguishable by the unique watermark shared by the print publisher Gustave Pellet and Toulouse-Lautrec himself, signifying a close collaboration between artist and editor.

While the original sketch was finalized in 1894, this impression derives from a posthumous second edition published before 1910, designated as the only state. Toulouse-Lautrec utilized the lithographic process to create powerful, evocative images that distilled the essence of his subjects with minimal lines, setting him apart as a master of the print medium during the fin-de-siècle.

The subject, simply titled Adolphe (The Sad Young Man), embodies the melancholy and introspection common in the artist’s depictions of urban life. The heavy outlines and simple composition draw focus directly to the man’s downward gaze and slumped shoulders, conveying a profound sense of sadness. This emphasis on psychological portraiture, rather than mere physical depiction, is a hallmark of Toulouse-Lautrec’s approach to depicting men and women from the periphery of Parisian society.

As a significant example of Post-Impressionist graphic art, the work currently resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its inclusion in this prestigious collection secures its stature as a vital piece of the artist's legacy. As this work is deeply historic, images of the powerful print are often available within the public domain for research and study.