At the Concert

At the Concert by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a masterful example of fin-de-siècle printmaking created in 1896. This complex graphic work was executed using the demanding technique of color zincography on cream wove paper. Zincography, a process similar to lithography but utilizing a zinc plate rather than a heavier stone, allowed Lautrec to achieve the spontaneous, sketch-like quality and vibrant chromatic range essential to his instantly recognizable style. The work’s classification as a print underscores the artist’s pivotal role in elevating graphic arts, aligning with the late 19th-century boom in reproducible illustration and poster art across France.

Lautrec dedicated his career to capturing the ephemeral energy of Parisian entertainment, meticulously documenting the social dynamics of cafés, cabarets, and concert halls. This piece exemplifies his keen ability to observe and distill the human element within these public spaces. Rather than focusing on grand theatrical displays, the piece centers on the intimate act of observation, highlighting the performers and the patrons of the era. The sharp cropping and dynamic composition, typical of his mature style, emphasize the immediacy of the scene, while the subtle layering of color in the zincograph enhances the moody, internalized atmosphere of the capital's nightlife.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s influential contributions to graphic arts cemented the poster and the artistic print as legitimate forms of expression. As a key masterwork from 1896, the lasting impact of this work is recognized globally; high-quality reproductions of Lautrec's prints often circulate through public domain collections, educating viewers on the radical artistic shifts occurring in France at the turn of the century. This original color zincograph is housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.