Coquelin the Elder, from Treize Lithographies

Coquelin the Elder, from Treize Lithographies by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French, 1864-1901, is a masterful example of the lithographic process that the artist favored during his final creative years. Executed in 1898, this compelling print captures one of the most celebrated figures of the Parisian stage. The technique employs lithography on ivory laid paper, showcasing Lautrec's characteristic ability to convey detailed texture and deeply observed personality through economic lines and stark contrasts. As a member of the Treize Lithographies series, the piece exemplifies the late 19th-century boom in graphic arts, which allowed images of popular cultural figures to circulate widely among the public.

Lautrec specialized in documenting the vibrant, often raw, social and cultural life of France during the Belle Époque, focusing particularly on the actors, dancers, and performers who populated Montmartre. This portrait of the actor known as Coquelin the Elder likely refers to Constant Coquelin (1841-1909), the critically acclaimed theatrical performer renowned for originating the title role in Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac. While the print maintains the sense of immediacy typical of Lautrec's visual reportage, it also functions as a formal, though intimate, portrait, capturing the professional gravitas expected of a leading theatrical figure of the era.

The artist's decision to render these significant public figures in the accessible medium of prints highlights his dedication to modernizing art outside traditional academic boundaries. As a major contributor to the history of modern prints, this work remains a significant visual document of the theatrical world of 1890s Paris. This specific impression of Coquelin the Elder is classified as a print and is held in the prestigious collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.