Cover and Frontispiece to Les Vieilles Histoires

"Cover and Frontispiece to Les Vieilles Histoires" is a significant color lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1893. This artwork was designed to serve as the illustrated cover and subsequent frontispiece for a collection of songs or poems, known as "Old Stories," illustrating the profound importance of graphic arts in fin-de-siècle France. Lautrec, a master of the poster and print medium, excelled at capturing the vibrant yet often shadowed figures of Parisian nightlife, though this piece offers a more reserved, narrative focus suitable for a literary publication.

Executed as a sophisticated color lithograph on cream wove paper, the print demonstrates Toulouse-Lautrec's characteristic economy of line and nuanced layering of color. Lithography, a process highly favored in the 1890s, allowed the artist to produce immediate, vibrant effects that retained a painterly quality while being easily reproducible. His technique often employs bold, simplified forms and asymmetrical compositions, reflecting the profound influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints on modern French aesthetics. The effectiveness of this piece lies in its immediate visual impact and suggestion of narrative, successfully marketing the contents of the publication.

As a key figure in modern graphic arts, Toulouse-Lautrec elevated the status of the print medium from mere reproduction to serious artistic output. The original impression of Cover and Frontispiece to Les Vieilles Histoires is classified as a print and remains a vital component of the extensive collection at the Art Institute of Chicago, representing a critical moment in the history of French illustration. Today, works like this are often part of the public domain, ensuring global access to the output of this pivotal artist.