Cover for L'exemple de Ninon de Lenclos amoureuse

The work Cover for L'exemple de Ninon de Lenclos amoureuse was created in 1898 by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901). Classified as a print, this piece exemplifies the graphic design and illustrative projects that defined fin-de-siècle Paris. Lautrec, renowned for his revolutionary posters and his unflinching chronicle of bohemian life in France, often translated literary and theatrical subjects into powerful visual art. This particular cover design dates to the final years of his career, a period when his lithographic output was deeply focused on publications and specialized albums.

This piece is a lithograph executed on cream wove paper, showcasing the technical mastery of the medium which Toulouse-Lautrec practiced throughout his working life. Further distinguishing the print is the incorporation of letterpress text added in blue, clearly indicating its functional role as a book or pamphlet cover. The combination of delicate, drawn graphic art and clear typographical information highlights the critical role of prints in modern communication and commercial design during this era. Lautrec’s unmistakable style, characterized by flattened forms and economical line work derived in part from Japanese Ukiyo-e woodcuts, remains evident even in this small-scale illustration.

The piece, likely serving as the cover for a specific literary text concerning the historical figure Ninon de Lenclos, encapsulates the artist’s lifelong interest in portraiture and contemporary Parisian society. The work currently resides within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a significant example of French late 19th-century graphic illustration. Though preserved within major museum holdings, high-quality images of many of Toulouse-Lautrec's designs from this period are now widely available as public domain works, ensuring broad scholarly access to his influential legacy.