Farewell, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau

Farewell, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) is a sensitive lithograph executed in 1895. Created on ivory wove paper, this print demonstrates the artist's fluid line work and his distinctive ability to capture the melancholy or fleeting intimacy of daily life in fin-de-siècle Paris. The work is one of several pieces that Toulouse-Lautrec contributed to the musical portfolio Mélodies de Désiré Dihau, illustrating songs by the composer and bassoonist Désiré Dihau, a close acquaintance of the artist.

The choice of lithography was characteristic of Toulouse-Lautrec’s practice. The medium allowed him to translate the immediacy of his quick sketches into the reproducible format of the print, thereby circulating his interpretations of cabaret performers, theater patrons, and the Parisian demimonde widely across France. 1864-1901 became the leading figure in graphic arts during this period, turning what was traditionally commercial poster work into high art. This particular piece, though subdued, maintains the sense of psychological depth found in his more famous works depicting music halls.

The enduring popularity of these turn-of-the-century prints stems from the artist's sharp observational skill and his innovative approach to color and composition. This work currently resides within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As this influential work is now over a century old, the study of such high-quality prints is often supported by digital reproductions available through public domain initiatives, providing global access to the output of this pivotal French Post-Impressionist master.