Antoine and Gémier, in Une Faillite

Antoine and Gémier, in Une Faillite is a powerful lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1893. Executed on cream wove paper, this print exemplifies the artist's dedication to capturing unvarnished life on the Parisian stage. Toulouse-Lautrec was a master of the lithographic process, utilizing the medium's inherent directness and tonal range to rapidly document the transient moments of actors and performers.

The piece depicts renowned actors Antoine and Gémier during a performance of the play Une Faillite (A Bankruptcy). Lautrec focused his lens not on idealized theatrical glamour, but on the raw emotion and expressive posture central to dramatic performance. This lithograph captures the intensity of the scene, reflecting the artist’s commitment to naturalism and keen observation. Produced during the height of the Belle Époque, the work offers a vital glimpse into the vibrant, often cynical, performance culture of fin-de-siècle France, where popular prints served as primary visual documentation of celebrity and urban life.

As one of the significant prints produced by the artist, this work demonstrates Toulouse-Lautrec's innovative approach to graphic arts and his revolutionary impact on poster design and illustration. His influence remains pivotal in modern visual culture, and original impressions like this are crucial records of the era. This masterwork is classified as a Print within the Art Institute of Chicago collection, ensuring its preservation and availability for research. Due to its age and historical context, many high-resolution images of Lautrec’s celebrated prints are now considered part of the public domain, allowing broader access to his enduring legacy.