André Antoine and Fermin Gémier in "A Bankruptcy"

André Antoine and Fermin Gémier in "A Bankruptcy" is a significant crayon lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. This black ink print, rendered on fine wove paper, captures a candid moment from the theatrical world that deeply fascinated the artist. The classification of the piece as a print in its only known state underscores its importance as a direct record of Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery of the medium.

The scene depicts the pioneering theater director André Antoine and actor Fermin Gémier, two influential figures of the Théâtre Libre, walking across the stage or set of their production. The artist utilizes the raw, expressive qualities of the crayon lithograph technique, achieving deep blacks and subtle tonal variations that give the figures weight and atmosphere. Toulouse-Lautrec, known for his ability to distill the essence of Parisian nightlife and performance culture, focuses here on the subjects' interaction and posture, emphasizing the dramatic potential inherent in the simple action of men walking together.

Dating from the height of the Belle Époque, this piece provides valuable insight into the cultural ferment surrounding independent theatrical productions in Paris. Unlike the grand, academic works of the period, Toulouse-Lautrec preferred capturing the immediacy of modern life. This specific print showcases his characteristic style: quick, illustrative lines that define form without excessive detail, a hallmark that made his works instantly recognizable and highly sought after by collectors.

This important graphic work is part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a crucial example of fin-de-siècle printmaking and Toulouse-Lautrec's enduring legacy as a chronicler of performance arts. Today, high-resolution images of such historic prints are often made available to the public domain, allowing broader study of this transformative period in art history.