At the Hanneton (Au Hanneton) is a significant print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1898. This sophisticated lithograph in black on velin paper exemplifies the artist's dedication to capturing Parisian life through graphic arts. Executed during the crucial period spanning 1876 to 1900, the work reflects the dynamic cultural scene and social observations that defined French society at the turn of the century. Toulouse-Lautrec championed the use of the print medium, utilizing lithography not merely for commercial purposes but as a primary form of artistic expression, focusing on dynamic line and atmospheric effect.
As a master of evocative imagery, Toulouse-Lautrec often chronicled the private and unguarded moments of the Parisian demimonde, the performers, and the café society. While the specific subjects of this piece are subtly rendered, the work carries the unmistakable expressive weight characteristic of his late 19th-century output. His sharp, observational skills render figures and environments with psychological nuance and often unflinching honesty. The deliberate use of black ink emphasizes contrast and essential form, allowing the lithographic process to convey mood with maximum efficiency. This dedication to graphic innovation solidified Toulouse-Lautrec’s role as a leading figure in modern French artistic production.
Classified formally as a print, the technical execution of At the Hanneton highlights the artist’s sophisticated understanding of the medium. This work is preserved in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key example of Toulouse-Lautrec’s output from the close of the 19th century. Given its status and age, high-resolution prints and documentation of this work are often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring broader access to this pivotal era of European art. The piece offers researchers and enthusiasts alike an important view into the artistic and social trends flourishing in France before the turn of the century.