Country Outing (Partie de campagne) is a complex and illustrative color lithograph created in 1897, attributed to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, working closely with master printer Auguste Clot and influential publisher Ambroise Vollard. This French work is an exceptional example of fin de siècle printmaking, executed as a demanding multi-color lithograph on wove paper. While Lautrec supplied the dynamic design, Clot's technical expertise in handling the nuanced details and tonal transitions was crucial to achieving the print’s final, expressive quality. Vollard, a key figure in the promotion and dissemination of modern art, played the pivotal role of commissioning and publishing the resulting edition of prints.
Dating to the important period of 1876 to 1900, this piece captures the shifting social behaviors of Parisian life, specifically the popularity of excursions outside the urban environment-the eponymous "country outing." Lautrec's characteristic style, rooted in stark observation and utilizing techniques borrowed from Japanese woodblock printing, is evident in the simplified forms and bold yet controlled application of color. This approach allowed the artist to capture character and atmosphere efficiently, offering viewers a candid snapshot of contemporaneous social behavior. The image presents a view of modern leisure that is distinct from the crowded cabarets and nightlife scenes for which Lautrec is typically famous, revealing his multifaceted interest in daily French culture.
As a testament to the artistic and commercial power of printmaking during the late 19th century, this collaboration among designer, printer, and publisher cemented the lithograph’s role as a major art form. This significant example of modern French prints is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its stature and age, and in alignment with institutional policies concerning historical artifacts, high-resolution reproductions of this work are frequently available through public domain initiatives, ensuring broad access to the collaborative work of Vollard and Lautrec.
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