Double harness

The work Double harness by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a delicate and characteristic print created in 1897. Classified as a lithograph, the piece was executed on cream wove paper and uniquely finished with hand-applied watercolor, lending it a spontaneous touch often absent in purely reproductive works. This specific technique, combining the mechanical advantages of the print medium with the immediacy of painting, underscores the artist’s experimental approach to graphic arts during the Belle Époque.

Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) was a pivotal figure in modernizing prints, utilizing lithography not merely for mass reproduction but as a primary medium for fine art. His subject matter was drawn directly from the lively, often gritty social scenes of late 19th-century France, capturing the atmosphere of Parisian theaters, cabarets, and the racetrack with unvarnished candor. The creation of Double harness reflects Lautrec's keen interest in depicting intimate human interactions and movement.

As a post-Impressionist master, Lautrec’s graphic works provide crucial documentation of the era, elevating the status of the poster and the individual print in the artistic hierarchy. The classification of this piece as a print highlights its technical significance within the artist’s prolific graphic output. This important work, Double harness, is currently held in the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.