At the Variétés: Mademoiselle Lender and Brasseur

At the Variétés: Mademoiselle Lender and Brasseur by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) is a significant example of fin-de-siècle printmaking. Executed in 1893, this lithograph on cream wove paper captures the vibrant, theatrical culture of late 19th-century Paris, France. Lautrec specialized in documenting the entertainers and habitués of the city's cabarets and theaters, particularly the Théâtre des Variétés, which served as a focal point for his observations. This print focuses on the celebrated performer Mademoiselle Lender alongside the actor Brasseur, capturing a candid, backstage moment of interaction rather than a formal stage presentation.

Lautrec's mastery of the lithographic process allowed him to achieve rapid, expressive lines and bold compositions perfectly suited to the fleeting subjects of the stage. The medium classified as a Print demonstrates the artist’s groundbreaking use of the commercial poster aesthetic to elevate portraiture and genre scenes to high art. Lautrec utilized striking color planes and simplified forms to convey the energy and ambiance of the theater world. Mademoiselle Lender was a frequent subject for the artist, embodying the glamorous yet often exhausting life of a Parisian star. The composition suggests an intimate glimpse into their relationship and surroundings, characteristic of Lautrec’s ability to pierce the artifice of performance. This important work documenting the essence of modern French life is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.