Emilienne d'Alençon, from Treize Lithographies

The print Emilienne d'Alençon, from Treize Lithographies was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1898. This specific impression is a lithograph printed on cream wove paper, showcasing the artist's dedication to the print medium late in his career. Lautrec’s Treize Lithographies was a significant portfolio produced toward the end of the 19th century, capturing the vibrant figures of the Parisian entertainment world. As a French artist working during the fin de siècle, Lautrec was intrinsically linked to the cultural landscape of Montmartre, focusing his unique gaze on performers, dancers, and actresses.

The subject of this work is Émilienne d'Alençon (1869-1946), one of the most celebrated and notorious demi-mondaines of Belle Époque France. Known for her stage presence as a dancer and actress, she was a frequent muse for Lautrec, who often stylized his portraits to emphasize the character and emotional intensity of his sitters rather than strictly pursuing photographic realism. The artist’s distinctive approach to lithography utilizes bold lines, dynamic compositional framing, and carefully controlled tone, lending the portrait an immediacy reflective of the era's popular poster art. The production of such prints allowed Lautrec’s art to reach a wider public audience, defining him as a master of graphic illustration.

As a pivotal figure in Post-Impressionist art, Lautrec utilized prints to document the fleeting, modern life in France. Emilienne d'Alençon remains a key example of his sophisticated graphic output from 1898. This piece is classified within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a crucial reference point for the study of late 19th-century French printmaking. The museum holds an extensive collection of works by Lautrec, underscoring the enduring significance of his contributions to the history of prints.