Five O'Clock: Supper in London

Five O'Clock: Supper in London, executed by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896, is a sophisticated example of fin-de-siècle printmaking. This work, classified specifically as a print, is rendered as a lithograph on vellum, a medium Toulouse-Lautrec expertly manipulated to achieve delicate tonal washes and the characteristic expressive line that defines his graphic output.

While the artist is best known for chronicling the vibrant cabarets and theaters of Montmartre, this piece depicts a different social setting: a dinner scene among men and women in London. The composition captures the formal intimacy of dining, focusing on the subtle interactions and psychological distance between the figures seated around the table. Toulouse-Lautrec uses compressed perspective and strong contours, hallmarks of his poster design and influential graphic style, to focus the viewer’s attention on the nuanced gestures of the participants.

The piece exemplifies the artist’s commitment to capturing modern urban life. His focus is not just on the act of dining, but on the complexities of late 19th-century social customs. As a master of the lithographic process, Toulouse-Lautrec ensured his observations were widely accessible through the circulation of his prints. This enduring appeal has led to the inclusion of works such as Five O'Clock: Supper in London in the public domain, allowing for greater study of the era.

This particular impression is held in the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a powerful record of Toulouse-Lautrec’s versatility beyond his Parisian subjects.