"Chocolat Dancing," dated 1896, is a vibrant color print created after the work of renowned French Post-Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). Cataloged as a reproduction, this piece utilizes the highly specific technique of color lithography derived from a photorelief print, applied to grayish wove chine. This intricate production method was pivotal in the late 19th century for faithfully reproducing artistic works, allowing for broad dissemination of popular imagery across France.
The subject matter focuses on Rafael Padilla, the celebrated Cuban-French performer known professionally as Chocolat. Lautrec was deeply immersed in documenting the performers and clientele of the Parisian cabarets, particularly those in Montmartre. This work reflects the dynamic energy and caricature inherent in the artist’s unique graphic style, capturing the celebrated clown mid-performance.
As a significant example of period reproduction technology, this piece showcases the distinct graphic character developed by Lautrec in his influential posters and illustrations. The widespread availability of such prints helped define the visual aesthetic of the fin-de-siècle culture. Due to its age and the artist’s death date, this visual record often relates to sources now residing in the public domain, providing crucial material for studying popular French iconography. This important print is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
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