Brandès and le Bargy, in Les Cabotins

Brandès and le Bargy, in Les Cabotins by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901 is a striking 1894 color lithograph rendered on cream wove paper, exemplifying the artist's commitment to documenting the vibrant, often raw, energy of fin-de-siècle Parisian entertainment. Toulouse-Lautrec, an undeniable master of the graphic arts, utilized the medium of the color lithograph extensively, valuing its capacity for bold design, rapid execution, and commercial reproduction. This print displays his signature style: economic use of line, flattened perspective, and carefully selected color palettes designed to maximize visual impact.

The composition centers on the figures of two celebrated actors of the era, Brandès and le Bargy, likely captured during a performance of Les Cabotins (The Mountebanks or The Show-offs). The work belongs to a significant period in the artist's career when he frequently immersed himself in the world of the theater, café-concerts, and dance halls of France, moving easily between backstage intrigue and public spectacle. Unlike traditional portraiture, Lautrec focused on the performers in their professional guise, emphasizing their characteristic gestures, costumes, and the psychological intensity required for the stage.

As a significant example of Post-Impressionist printmaking, this piece contributed greatly to elevating the status of the poster and the graphic advertisement as legitimate high art forms. The wide distribution and accessibility of such prints helped define the visual culture of 1890s Paris. This specific impression of Brandès and le Bargy, in Les Cabotins is classified as a print and resides within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, underscoring its historical and artistic importance.