Brandès In Her Box

Brandès In Her Box is a nuanced 1894 lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. This masterful print showcases the artist’s characteristic innovation in reproductive media, capturing the essence of Parisian nightlife with remarkable immediacy. The work was achieved using a complex combination of crayon, brush, and spatter techniques, resulting in a unique textural depth despite its single-color palette. Printed in a delicate olive green on wove paper, this impression represents the only known state of the design.

Toulouse-Lautrec frequently documented the bustling, complex social rituals of late 19th-century Parisian entertainment. The subject of the print captures an intimate moment within a private theater box, focusing on the prominent figure of a woman. This dynamic scene exemplifies the artist's focus on the interplay between the observing men and the observed women who populated the elite social spheres of the era. The composition emphasizes Brandès’s isolated prominence amidst the public spectacle, a theme often explored in Toulouse-Lautrec’s portrayals of contemporary celebrity and theater culture.

Known for his keen observation and powerful economy of line, Toulouse-Lautrec utilized prints not merely as reproductions but as essential artistic statements. This particular piece is a highly regarded example of his late work in lithography, demonstrating his mastery over the medium. Currently classified as a print, the work is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its presence in major institutional collections ensures that these important fin-de-siècle works, sometimes entering the public domain, continue to be studied and appreciated globally.