Drunkard (Soularde)

Drunkard (Soularde), created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1898, is a powerful example of the artist's dedication to documenting the marginalized figures of fin-de-siècle Parisian life. Classified as a print, the work utilizes the demanding technique of lithography in a restricted palette of black and beige.

The choice of lithography, a medium often associated with commercial posters and illustrations, allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to capture atmospheric nuance and graphic simplicity. The restricted two-color format emphasizes the stark contrast between light and shadow, highlighting the isolation and despair of the subject. Toulouse-Lautrec was known for sketching his subjects immediately in the cafés and public houses, bringing an immediacy and raw psychological depth to the resulting prints that deliberately defied traditional academic standards prevalent in French art of the time.

This piece fits squarely within the artistic movements active between 1876 and 1900, a period known for its incisive documentation of modern, industrialized urban existence. Rather than romanticizing poverty, Toulouse-Lautrec presents an unflinching character study typical of his output during the late 1890s. The piece’s classification as a print confirms its role in the era’s trend toward making fine art more widely accessible and circulated.

As one of Toulouse-Lautrec’s final significant works, this image remains critical to understanding his oeuvre and his lasting impact on graphic art. This late 19th-century lithograph is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art.