At the Concert

At the Concert by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a significant print created in 1896. This work, classified as a print, utilizes the specialized technique of zincography executed on grayish-ivory laid chine. Zincography, a form of lithography using a zinc plate, was a crucial medium for Lautrec’s output, allowing him to produce immediate and widely distributed images that captured the dynamic pulse of fin-de-siècle Paris.

Lautrec dedicated his career to observing and documenting the vibrant social milieu of 1890s France, particularly the cabarets, dance halls, and theaters of Montmartre. Prints like this one exemplify his signature style: rapid, expressive line work and compositions characterized by psychological intimacy. The work likely depicts performers, musicians, or the audience within a Parisian entertainment venue, a subject matter that dominated the artist's production. Lautrec’s frequent use of unconventional cropping and simplified forms reflects the widespread influence of Japanese woodblock prints (Japonisme) on French art during this period. The relative ease and efficiency of the zincograph medium allowed Lautrec to explore these compositions quickly, prioritizing graphic impact over the slow execution required for oil painting.

The 1896 print, At the Concert, is recognized internationally as a seminal example of Lautrec's mastery of the graphic arts. Today, the work is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a landmark work of French printmaking from the late 19th century, it continues to be studied as a primary visual source detailing the culture of that time. Given its age and established provenance, high-quality images of this piece are commonly available in the public domain, ensuring that these defining prints remain accessible for research and appreciation worldwide.