Brandès in her Box

The influential Post-Impressionist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) created the significant print Brandès in her Box in 1894. This superb image is classified as a color lithograph executed on ivory wove paper, highlighting the artist’s mastery of graphic art during the flourishing era of French printmaking. Toulouse-Lautrec was keenly focused on documenting the social and psychological nuances of Parisian entertainment, capturing both performers and the theatergoing public in candid moments.

As a dedicated observer of the demimonde, Lautrec frequently depicted figures in the private confines of the theater boxes, or loges. The composition captures the actress, likely Jane Brandès, seated within this intimate setting, viewed from an oblique and slightly elevated angle. This observational viewpoint, along with the tight cropping and emphasis on contour lines, is highly characteristic of Toulouse-Lautrec’s compositions, demonstrating the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints on his unique style. The delicate and precise application of color in this lithograph prioritizes mood and immediate atmosphere over strict classical realism.

The work serves as a powerful testament to the artist's ability to render personality and environment through the technical demands of printmaking. Produced during the peak of the artist's career, this piece became a recognized example of fin-de-siècle graphic arts in France. The Art Institute of Chicago houses this vital print, recognizing its central significance in the history of Post-Impressionism and the documentation of Parisian life. Due to its age and cultural importance, this and other prints by Toulouse-Lautrec are now widely available for study through public domain collections worldwide.