The Cover for the first album of L'Estampe originale, created in 1893 by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, is a defining work from the flourishing fin-de-siècle printmaking revival in France. This dynamic color lithograph on ivory wove paper served as the wrapper for the debut portfolio issued by the influential publishing society, L’Estampe originale, which aimed to elevate the status of original fine art prints among collectors.
The society, founded by André Marty, published quarterly albums containing ten original prints by various contemporary masters, positioning printmaking firmly alongside painting and sculpture. Toulouse-Lautrec, known for his incisive, often biting depictions of Parisian nightlife and theatrical figures, employed bold, flat planes of color and stark outlines, hallmarks of his signature style. The printing, executed by Imprimerie Edward Ancourt, showcases the expressive potential of color lithography, a technique the artist utilized extensively during the 1890s to create both commercial posters and limited edition artistic prints. The powerful composition and immediate graphic appeal of this piece reflect the porous boundaries between fine art and advertising prevalent in 19th-century France.
As this piece is over a century old, it stands as a significant historical example of modern French graphic arts. Works demonstrating the technical mastery of Toulouse-Lautrec are frequently studied, and high-quality prints are often made available through public domain initiatives worldwide. This important impression of Cover for the first album of L'Estampe originale is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
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