Bust of Mademoiselle Lender

Bust of Mademoiselle Lender is a significant lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1895. This piece is a prime example of the artist’s mastery of printmaking, particularly his sophisticated use of color and line work within the demanding medium of lithography. Toulouse-Lautrec dedicated much of his short career to documenting the vibrant, yet often gritty, cultural life of late 19th-century France, specifically the theaters, cabarets, and personalities that defined Parisian nightlife.

The sitter, Mademoiselle Lender, was a celebrated actress and dancer, notably known for her performances at popular venues like the Folies Bergère. Toulouse-Lautrec rendered her likeness with an immediacy rarely seen in formal portraiture. In this print, the artist captures Lender in a moment of poised concentration, using the stark contrasts afforded by the lithographic process to emphasize the shape of her profile and the texture of her elaborate stage costume. This style, which blends acute observation with graphic economy, became the hallmark of Toulouse-Lautrec’s approach to modern prints.

As an artwork from the height of the French fin-de-siècle, Bust of Mademoiselle Lender reflects the period's burgeoning interest in graphic arts as a mass medium. Toulouse-Lautrec was instrumental in elevating lithography from simple commercial reproduction to a highly regarded fine art form. His graphic output revolutionized the design of posters and illustrations. Works such as this one, which have since transitioned into the public domain, continue to influence graphic designers and fine artists globally. This important contribution to modern prints is preserved in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.