Au pied du Sinaï: Clemenceau à Busk

Au pied du Sinaï: Clemenceau à Busk is a powerful lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1898. This print captures Georges Clemenceau, the towering French statesman, journalist, and future Prime Minister, during a critical political moment. The title, which translates to “At the Foot of Sinai: Clemenceau in Busk,” references the statesman’s reputation as an uncompromising moral force, particularly in relation to his involvement in the ongoing Dreyfus Affair. During this pivotal year, Clemenceau was instrumental in publishing Émile Zola’s famous defense, "J’Accuse!," making this artwork an immediate response to the political environment of late 19th-century France.

As a master of graphic techniques, Toulouse-Lautrec frequently employed lithography to capture the personalities and dynamic atmosphere of Parisian life. Unlike his celebrated commercial posters, this work serves as an intimate, journalistic portrait, demonstrating the artist’s nuanced approach to reproducing current events. The medium of prints allowed the artist to distribute his commentary efficiently, reflecting the widespread influence of visual communication in modern France.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s economical lines and skilled use of tone define the subject's intensity and resolve. This piece is a significant example of how the artist transcended traditional portraiture, using his keen observational skills to imbue political documentation with profound character study. This exceptional work, which showcases the vitality of French artistic and political culture at the turn of the century, is preserved within the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.