Eccentric English Comedian (Comique excentrique anglais) from Le Café Concert

Eccentric English Comedian (Comique excentrique anglais) from Le Café Concert is a key graphic work created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. This piece is one image within a significant portfolio of twenty-three lithographs, originally bound as an illustrated book project documenting the vibrant performance spaces of Belle Époque Paris.

The work exemplifies the highly influential French art scene of the late 19th century, specifically the burgeoning cabaret and music hall culture that Toulouse-Lautrec chronicled extensively. Executed using the challenging lithography technique, the artist captures the fleeting energy and characteristic postures of Parisian nightlife performers with economy and precision. The medium, which allowed for broad distribution of artistic imagery, was essential to Lautrec's practice. As one of the significant graphic prints produced during his mature period, this illustration was distributed as part of the specialized portfolio, Le Café Concert, which sought to document the dynamic atmosphere of these establishments.

The subject, the "Eccentric English Comedian," is typical of the figures Toulouse-Lautrec often sketched or printed, focusing on individuals whose stage personas involved exaggerated movements or unique costumes. His ability to distill complex figures into essential lines and shapes defined his distinctive Post-Impressionist approach to illustration. The entire project, published in 1893, provides a detailed visual record of the era’s entertainment culture and cemented Toulouse-Lautrec’s reputation as a master draftsman. This major work is permanently held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).