Di Ti Fellow - Englishmen at the Cafe-Concert (Di Ti Fellow - Anglaise au Café-Concert)

The work Di Ti Fellow - Englishmen at the Cafe-Concert (Di Ti Fellow - Anglaise au Café-Concert) was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1898. This exceptional print is a lithograph executed in rich brown ink upon hand-made paper. Executed late in the artist’s career, the piece showcases Toulouse-Lautrec’s profound mastery of graphic arts, utilizing the expressive and flexible technique of lithography to capture the dynamic, often fleeting moments of the Parisian demimonde.

This piece belongs squarely within the French artistic period of 1876 to 1900, a time characterized by rapid modernization and the rise of urban entertainment. Toulouse-Lautrec frequently documented the nightspots and theaters of Montmartre, focusing specifically on the human figures that populated the stage and the audience. The specific subject of Di Ti Fellow - Englishmen at the Cafe-Concert suggests a satirical or observational study of expatriates and tourists in the bustling café-concerts. These English visitors, or "fellows," were a common feature in the venues, offering the artist a rich contrast between foreign observers and local performers.

The composition utilizes strong lines and simplified forms, characteristic of Toulouse-Lautrec’s mature approach, which was heavily influenced by Japanese prints. The monochromatic application of brown ink lends the work an atmospheric quality, suggesting the dim lighting and smoky interior of the venue. The technical immediacy required for creating prints like this allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to quickly translate his sharp observations of character onto paper, emphasizing caricature and social commentary.

As one of the important prints from the era, this lithograph provides a vital window into the social fabric of late 19th-century French culture. It exemplifies the artist’s lasting contribution to the history of modern art. This significant work is preserved in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it remains a central example of Toulouse-Lautrec's commitment to documenting contemporary life. As a historically significant work, prints like this often form part of educational and public domain initiatives.