Cléo de Mérode

Cléo de Mérode by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, executed in 1896, is a powerful example of the artist’s mastery of the graphic arts. This striking piece is classified as a lithograph in black, a technique that relies on grease-based drawing materials applied to a stone or plate. The finished image was meticulously printed on delicate Japan paper, a choice that enhances the depth and subtle variations within the dense ink, giving the finished print an elevated textural quality. Created during the period spanning 1876 to 1900, this work exemplifies the French fascination with celebrity and the rapidly evolving role of fine art prints in modern Parisian life.

Toulouse-Lautrec focused much of his career on documenting the vibrant, often cynical, world of Parisian entertainment during the Belle Époque. The subject of the work is Cléo de Mérode (1875-1966), a ballet dancer who achieved international fame and notoriety, becoming one of the most photographed women of her era and a defining figure of the late nineteenth century. Rather than depicting the dancer performing or in full stage costume, Toulouse-Lautrec captures a more intimate, psychological study, reflecting his characteristic observational honesty. The economy of line and the stark contrast inherent in the black lithograph medium allow the artist to convey character with immediate, unvarnished impact.

As a highly sought-after printmaker, Toulouse-Lautrec elevated the status of the lithograph from commercial advertisement to fine art. The artistic intensity found within this print demonstrates the revolutionary potential of the medium in the hands of a master during this transformative era in French culture. Although sometimes circulated widely enough to enter the public domain in later years, this original impression remains a critical record of the social dynamics and portraiture techniques of the period. This significant artwork is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.