American Singer (from Le Café Concert)

American Singer (from Le Café Concert) is a striking print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. Executed as a brush and spatter lithograph printed in black on wove paper, the technique showcases the artist’s mastery of graphic media. Toulouse-Lautrec used the spatter effect, achieved by spraying ink onto the stone, to create rich textures and shadows that contrast sharply with the clean, defining lines applied with the brush. This impression represents the only known state of the composition, highlighting its unique technical development.

The work belongs to a significant period when Toulouse-Lautrec intensely focused on the nightlife and entertainment venues of Montmartre. This specific piece captures one of the many male singers who headlined the popular café concerts of the era. These performers were central figures in the public life of Paris, and Toulouse-Lautrec sought to portray their professional demeanor and the theatricality inherent in commanding a large audience. The singer is depicted with a focus on form and movement, characteristic of the artist’s keen interest in human anatomy under performance conditions.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s dedication to documenting the fin-de-siècle Parisian social scene established him as a pioneer in modern graphic art. His innovative approach to the lithograph print elevated the medium, moving it beyond mere reproduction. This key work from the series is preserved in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a testament to the artist’s exceptional ability to capture the fleeting intensity of the stage.