Christmas Ballad, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau

"Christmas Ballad, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau," created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a significant example of fin-de-siècle French printmaking. Executed in 1895, this work is classified as a print, specifically a lithograph on cream wove paper. The chosen medium showcases the artist's profound command of illustrative potential; the lithographic process allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to capture the rapid, expressive lines characteristic of his drawing style, efficiently translating the energy and character of Parisian life onto the sheet.

The piece belongs to a limited series commissioned for Mélodies de Désiré Dihau, underscoring Toulouse-Lautrec’s deep connection to the cultural and musical figures of Montmartre. Active in fin-de-siècle France, the artist frequently documented the theatrical world and popular culture of the 1890s through his innovative prints and poster designs. While this specific image, Christmas Ballad, focuses on a quieter, more intimate setting suggested by the title, it retains Toulouse-Lautrec’s signature attention to characterization and mood, often achieved through simplified forms and evocative shadows.

As a lithograph print, this type of editioned fine art was instrumental in democratizing visual culture in France during the late nineteenth century. Toulouse-Lautrec’s lithographs are highly valued for their direct, observational insights into the period. This specific impression of Christmas Ballad resides within the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key reference for studying the innovative techniques and profound cultural output of this pivotal French artist.