At the Concert

At the Concert by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a significant example of the artist’s prolific graphic output, created in 1896. This color zincograph, executed on cream wove paper, highlights Toulouse-Lautrec's crucial role in elevating printmaking from a reproductive medium to a primary artistic form during the fin de siècle. The zincograph technique, closely related to lithography, allowed the artist to achieve the quick, painterly sketch quality and broad fields of saturated color that characterize his visual language.

As an immersive observer and chronicler of modern Parisian life, 1864-1901 dedicated his attention to the energetic, often gritty, atmosphere of the city’s public venues. This piece captures the intimate setting of a performance hall, focusing not on the spectacle of the stage, but rather on the interactions of the patrons and the intense, artificial illumination of the interior. The composition’s bold cropping and dynamic perspectives reflect the influence of both photography and Japanese prints, techniques that the artist adopted to modernize traditional figure studies.

Lautrec’s work is vital for understanding the commercial and artistic revolutions sweeping through France in the late nineteenth century, demonstrating how commercial prints became accessible and desirable collector’s items. This particular impression showcases his skill in distilling complex social settings into expressive, concise images through strong contour lines and economical color usage. The work resides within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key document of Post-Impressionist graphic arts and the vibrant culture of late nineteenth-century entertainment.