Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender (Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender, en buste)

Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender (Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender, en buste) is a celebrated print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1895. This sophisticated image was executed using the demanding technique of lithography, printed uniquely in olive green ink on imitation Japan paper. This deliberate choice of substrate and the subtle, limited palette imbue the work with an intimate, ephemeral quality highly characteristic of fine French graphic art during this transitional period.

Toulouse-Lautrec frequently captured the performers and characters of Parisian nightlife, concentrating on the figures that defined the vibrant theatrical and cabaret scenes. This focus places the lithograph within the influential artistic span of 1876 to 1900. Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender was a prominent dancer and actress of the Belle Époque stage, known particularly for her popular roles in operettas and comedies. While Toulouse-Lautrec is perhaps more famous for his full-figure, highly colored poster depictions of her, such as the iconic Marcelle Lender, standing, this bust portrait captures her refined presence and distinctive profile with remarkable graphic economy, eliminating the visual noise of the stage setting.

The immediacy and directness of this work reflect Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery of line, emphasizing the sitter’s strong silhouette. This print classification represents the artist’s highly influential contribution to modern poster art and the development of popular visual culture. As a key example of the French graphic arts tradition of the late nineteenth century, Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing crucial context for the study of early modern prints. Due to the artwork’s age and historical significance, high-quality reproductions of this image are frequently found within the public domain.