Elsa, called The Viennese

"Elsa, called The Viennese," created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901 in 1897, is a significant example of his late graphic work that captures the essence of fin-de-siècle Paris. This important print was executed as a color lithograph, a medium Lautrec utilized masterfully to achieve subtle gradations of tone and color. The impression is printed on grayish-ivory laid China paper, a deliberate material choice that enhances the soft, atmospheric quality and the rapid, expressive lines for which 1864-1901 is renowned.

As a primary documentarian of Parisian nightlife, Lautrec focused his attention on figures who populated the cabarets and dance halls of Montmartre. The subject, Elsa, identified by her moniker "The Viennese," is characteristic of the artist’s interest in documenting performers and models with psychological intensity. Lautrec strips away the typical romanticism often applied to such figures, offering instead a direct, observant portrait that emphasizes her individual character and costume.

This work exemplifies the high standard of French printmaking achieved during the 1890s. This exceptional piece of cultural history from France is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key reference for understanding modern graphic arts. Because the work is classified as public domain art, the ability to study high-quality prints and reproductions of this pivotal portrait is widely accessible, securing the legacy of the artist’s contributions to post-Impressionist printmaking.