Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender

The Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender is a significant color lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901 in 1895. This striking example of French graphic arts demonstrates Lautrec's profound mastery of the medium. Produced as a print on cream wove paper, the work utilizes the vibrant possibilities of chromolithography, allowing the artist to capture the ephemeral glamour of Parisian stage life with immediacy and flair. Lautrec revolutionized poster art and independent prints in France during the late 19th century, valuing the democratic accessibility and technical freedom that lithography offered over traditional painting.

The subject, Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender, was a celebrated actress and dancer often associated with the Parisian theaters and cabarets documented so extensively by Lautrec. This piece captures her with characteristic intensity and bold, dynamic outlines, a style derived partly from Japanese woodblock prints and partly from the spontaneous observations of the Impressionists. The subject’s fashionable attire, distinctive silhouette, and dramatic expression place the artwork squarely within the vibrant Fin de Siècle culture of France.

Lautrec’s innovative approach to color registration and line quality established him as a pioneer of modern graphic design. The artist carefully composed the bust format to focus attention purely on the performer’s captivating stage presence. This highly regarded work is part of the extensive collection of prints held by the Art Institute of Chicago. Because many of the works by this prolific and influential artist are now in the public domain, this iconic image remains widely accessible for study and appreciation, confirming Lautrec’s critical role in shaping modern visual culture.