Cover for L'Estampe originale

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s Cover for L'Estampe originale (1895) is a masterful example of the color lithograph technique that revolutionized commercial art in late 19th century France. This vibrant print, executed on ivory wove paper and produced by the esteemed printer Ancourt et Cie., served as the promotional face for the influential portfolio publication L'Estampe originale. Published between 1893 and 1895, this quarterly venture was instrumental in promoting the burgeoning printmaking revival among avant-garde artists and collectors. Toulouse-Lautrec specialized in capturing the ephemeral energy of Parisian culture, and here he utilizes striking graphic design to advertise the collection’s focus on high-quality artistic prints.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s characteristic use of dynamic line work, flat blocks of color, and economical detail is clearly evident in this poster design. As a commercial cover, the work was designed to be immediately eye-catching, leveraging the speed and versatility afforded by the lithographic process. The success of this print medium allowed innovative works like this one to reach a broad audience, playing a crucial role in establishing modern graphic design and elevating the status of the printmaker in France. The collaborative nature of its creation, involving the artist, the printer Ancourt et Cie., and the publisher L'Estampe originale, highlights the industrialized yet artistic processes of the period. Today, this important classification of French prints is recognized not only for its historical significance in publishing but also for its enduring artistic merit. The work is held in the comprehensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, a major institution whose extensive graphic arts holdings often include resources now considered public domain.