Floréal, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau

Floréal, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is an exemplary work of late 19th-century graphic art. Executed in 1895, this piece is classified as a print, specifically a lithograph, created on cream wove paper. Lautrec was a masterful practitioner of the medium, utilizing the unique qualities of lithography to capture the dynamic and often provocative cultural life of Paris during the fin-de-siècle.

The work is part of a portfolio illustrating the musical compositions of Désiré Dihau, a celebrated bassoonist and close acquaintance of the artist. Lautrec’s immersion in the artistic and theatrical circles of France heavily influenced his output, providing him with endless subject matter from the bustling night clubs and music halls. His compositions are characterized by innovative use of space, often employing steep angles and cropped figures that reflect the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints.

In this instance, the subtlety of the lithographic crayon allows Lautrec to render delicate tonal shifts and expressive linework, distinguishing this illustration from his more brightly colored poster work. The artist's focus on intimate and sometimes solitary moments provided a critical perspective on Parisian society, moving beyond mere documentation to psychological observation.

This important example of French printmaking from the 1890s is held in the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Although individual prints from this era may not be in the public domain, the legacy of Lautrec's approach to the medium continues to be foundational for modern graphic arts.