Cover and Frontispiece to Les Vieilles Histoires

The Cover and Frontispiece to Les Vieilles Histoires by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, was created in 1893. This vibrant work functions as the introductory image for a collection of songs or poems, characteristic of the artist’s prolific involvement in contemporary Parisian publishing and advertising. Executed using the sophisticated technique of color lithography on cream wove paper, the piece exemplifies the late 19th-century boom in fine art prints, an accessible medium popular across France.

Lautrec mastered the lithographic process, utilizing strong, simplified outlines and flat planes of color derived partly from the influence of Japanese woodblock prints, which were highly admired during this period. Although this print served a commercial purpose, the graphic dynamism of the design elevates it beyond mere illustration. The composition, which includes elements typical of the artist's focus on intimate portraiture and theatrical settings, captures the energy and distinctive style of Lautrec's output, often depicting the sometimes shadowy, yet compelling, world of cabaret performers and Montmartre society. His mastery of the print medium provides essential documentation of cultural life in 1890s Paris.

As a significant example of graphic design from the height of the Belle Époque, the work reflects the modernization of commercial art that flourished in France. Today, this work is held in the comprehensive print collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a cornerstone example of the modern printmaking movement. Due to its age and historical importance, the work is often considered part of the public domain, making high-quality prints and reference materials widely available for study and appreciation worldwide.