Ducarre at the Ambassadeurs (Ducarre aux ambassadeurs)

Ducarre at the Ambassadeurs (Ducarre aux ambassadeurs) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1893, is a characteristic example of the artist's celebrated work in prints. This lithograph in black on velin paper captures the atmosphere of Parisian performance culture during the fin de siècle, specifically documenting life during the period of 1876 to 1900. Toulouse-Lautrec mastered the lithographic technique, exploiting its spontaneous nature to achieve rapid, energetic lines and high-contrast effects that distinguish his oeuvre.

As a key figure of the late French nineteenth century, Toulouse-Lautrec devoted much of his output to documenting the dynamic yet often fleeting world of urban entertainment and nightlife. The Ambassadeurs, an iconic café-concert situated on the Champs-Élysées, served as a vital backdrop for this scene. The subject, "Ducarre," is likely a patron, celebrity, or specific performer, captured with the candid observation that became a hallmark of Toulouse-Lautrec’s style. He rarely romanticized his subjects, instead opting for honest, almost journalistic portrayals that reflected the rapid social changes occurring in the city.

The simplicity of the medium-a stark black print on paper-forces the viewer to focus entirely on the draughtsmanship and the psychological intensity of the figure. Toulouse-Lautrec’s economy of line suggests movement and atmosphere with minimal detail, providing a powerful contrast to the academic art traditions that preceded him. This approach established him as a pioneer of graphic modernism. The work is held within the extensive collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it remains a significant historical document and a foundational example of artistic documentation of Parisian life at the turn of the century.