At the Concert

The work At the Concert by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) captures the vibrant energy and observational intimacy characteristic of his depictions of Parisian nightlife during the late Fin de siècle. Dating from 1896, this piece offers a rare look into the technical origins of the artist’s prolific print output, as it is composed not of a standard paper impression, but of the original zinc lithographic plate itself.

Lautrec specialized in using lithography to immortalize the theaters, cabarets, and music halls of France. His decision to treat the metal matrix as the final artwork underscores his radical approach to the medium. The plate has been meticulously prepared: its corners were removed, and the edges were beveled before being laid down onto a mauve board and taped to a mat. This transformation turns the functional printing tool into a unique, finished object that embodies the artist’s graphic sensibility.

The composition reflects Lautrec’s signature style, utilizing simplified forms, bold outlining, and stark contrasts to convey the mood of the venue. As a master printmaker, Lautrec understood how to manipulate the lithographic process to achieve specific textures and tonal effects, even on the plate’s surface. This unconventional presentation highlights the importance of prints in late 19th-century French culture and provides direct insight into the methods of one of modern art’s most influential graphic designers. This exceptional object resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.