Cover for Les Courtes Joies

The influential lithograph, Cover for Les Courtes Joies, was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901 in 1897. This significant print, a key example of fin-de-siècle graphic arts, was executed using traditional lithographic methods. The artist employed a beige tint stone in addition to the primary drawing stone to achieve depth and atmospheric shading, a technique 1864-1901 often utilized to soften the strong contours typical of his commercial work. The composition is printed on ivory laid paper, showcasing the delicate quality often reserved for higher-end publications.

The work reflects the artist's deep engagement with the bohemian social scene and the rapidly evolving entertainment industry of late 19th-century France. 1864-1901’s ability to capture the psychological nuance of his subjects, often using compressed compositions derived from Japanese ukiyo-e prints, was groundbreaking for modern graphic design. This particular piece likely functioned as a promotional cover for a songbook or literary publication concerned with Parisian nightlife and its titular 'short joys.'

As a lithograph, this piece is classified within the artist’s highly valued output of fine art prints. It serves as a crucial historical document of artistic innovation during a period of rising commercial art. The original object is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, demonstrating its critical place in the history of prints. Given its cultural stature and age, high-resolution documentation for this seminal work is often made available through public domain initiatives worldwide.