Dress Rehearsal at the Folies-Bergere (Répétition générale aux Folies-Bergère)

Dress Rehearsal at the Folies-Bergere (Répétition générale aux Folies-Bergère) is a significant print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. Executed as a lithograph in black, this work exemplifies the artist's intense focus on Parisian nightlife and the emerging culture of commercial entertainment during the late 19th century. Toulouse-Lautrec, a master of the printmaking medium, utilized this format to capture the immediacy and distinct atmosphere of the performance hall.

This lithograph provides an intimate, unidealized glimpse behind the curtain of the famed Folies-Bergère. The subject matter deviates from the highly colorful posters the artist became known for, focusing instead on the anticipation and preparation involved in a Répétition générale. Toulouse-Lautrec’s characteristic brevity of line and evocative use of shadow define the various figures on the stage, suggesting movement and dramatic light without relying on elaborate color. The swift execution inherent in the lithographic process allowed the artist to create these detailed observational sketches, which were then reproduced as fine art prints for collectors and enthusiasts.

Belonging to the vibrant French artistic output between 1876 to 1900, this period piece cemented Toulouse-Lautrec's reputation as the foremost chronicler of Montmartre. His compositions are vital visual records of the cabaret era, capturing the professional lives of dancers, actors, and the backstage staff. The emphasis on the ephemeral nature of popular culture places the artist squarely within the post-Impressionist milieu, bridging observational drawing with the burgeoning field of graphic design. This key example of the artist's print work is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and the art-loving public. As a historic work of art, the image is often discussed in reference to Toulouse-Lautrec’s influential prints and is widely regarded as being in the public domain.