The influential French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender (Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender, en buste) in 1895. This notable work is a luminous color lithograph printed on wove paper, depicting the renowned French dancer and actress Marcelle Lender. Lender was a major star of the Parisian stage during the dynamic period spanning 1876 to 1900, a time when Toulouse-Lautrec immersed himself in the nightlife and celebrity culture of Montmartre. His graphic work often served as both sharp artistic observation and effective promotional material for the performers he admired.
The classification of this piece as a print speaks to Toulouse-Lautrec's mastery of commercial and fine art techniques. The artist utilized the complex process of color lithography, requiring multiple stones to achieve the work’s vivid, yet economically rendered palette. The image captures Lender in full costume, likely from her popular role in the operetta Chilpéric. Known for his immediate, observational style, Toulouse-Lautrec employs bold, simplified lines and flat planes of color, characteristics typical of Post-Impressionist graphic prints. The composition focuses intently on Lender’s expressive, profile face and the dramatic angle of her elaborate stage hat, successfully conveying the artificial glamour and contained energy of the Parisian theatrical world.
As a key example of French printmaking from the fin-de-siècle, this lithograph reflects the shift toward mass-produced commercial art forms in the late 19th century. Toulouse-Lautrec’s sophisticated understanding of the medium elevated popular portraiture and advertising to the level of fine art, making Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender one of his most recognized pieces. This celebrated work is part of the distinguished collection of prints held by the National Gallery of Art. Due to its age and cultural significance, this iconic depiction of Belle Époque celebrity is often discussed in the context of historical European art designated for the public domain.
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