At Sea by Night, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau

At Sea by Night, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a singular example of French graphic artistry from the fin-de-siècle period. Created in 1895, this work is a lithograph printed on cream wove paper, showcasing the artist’s mastery of the reproductive medium. Lautrec, known primarily for his bold depictions of Montmartre nightlife, utilized the lithographic process to capture expressive texture and atmospheric quality. This piece was produced as part of the published portfolio Mélodies de Désiré Dihau, illustrating the close collaborative relationship between visual artists and musicians in late 19th-century France.

While much of Lautrec's oeuvre is characterized by the human figure and the dramatic lighting of Parisian venues, this image offers a rare, abstracted view. The subject matter focuses on the open sea, captured in the stillness and mystery suggested by the title, under the cover of darkness. The lithograph technique allowed for powerful contrasts between deep blacks and soft grays, which the artist expertly employed to render the nocturnal mood and the subtle suggestion of a vessel against the horizon. The medium of prints made works like this widely accessible, contributing to the cultural shift toward modernity and mass reproduction in the 1890s.

This piece underscores Lautrec’s ability to convey powerful narrative and mood through simplified compositions, reflecting the influence of Japanese woodblock prints that were popular in Europe at the time. The work confirms his legacy as a key figure in Post-Impressionism. Today, At Sea by Night is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a vital resource for the study of late 19th-century French prints. Like many influential works from this era, this lithograph resides in the public domain, allowing for global access and continued scholarly examination.