Au pied du Sinaï: La Prière des Juifs Polonais is a poignant 1898 lithograph by the acclaimed French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. This compelling work, classified as a print, utilized the delicate and versatile technique of lithography, allowing Toulouse-Lautrec to achieve rich, textured shadows and expressive lines, differentiating it from his more widely known poster designs. The title translates to "At the Foot of Sinai: The Prayer of the Polish Jews," indicating a profound focus on religious observance and cultural identity.
Toulouse-Lautrec, renowned for his candid observations of Parisian society, often turned his attention toward specific social and cultural subgroups. In this instance, he documents a quiet, introspective moment of prayer. Unlike the dynamic energy of his Montmartre scenes, Au pied du Sinaï: La Prière des Juifs Polonais showcases a mastery of mood, reflecting the artist’s commitment to capturing diverse human experience in France at the close of the 19th century. The composition emphasizes the solemnity of the ritual, focusing on form and shadow rather than decorative detail.
This powerful example of graphic art is a key representation of Toulouse-Lautrec's later output in prints and illustrations. It forms part of the distinguished permanent collection housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Given its creation date, this masterwork by the French printmaker is often available in the public domain, ensuring its continued study and appreciation globally as one of the significant prints detailing religious life during the fin-de-siècle period.