Floréal from Quatorze lithographies originales (Mélodies de Désiré Dihau)

Floréal from Quatorze lithographies originales (Mélodies de Désiré Dihau) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a significant lithograph executed in 1895, forming a component of an Illustrated Book portfolio. This print is one of a suite created to accompany the music of the artist’s close friend, the bassoonist Désiré Dihau. Although produced in the mid-1890s, the complete collection was not formally published until 1935.

The work serves as a powerful example of Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery of graphic art, a medium he championed and used to define the visual culture of the fin-de-siècle. As a French artist working during the Post-Impressionist period, Toulouse-Lautrec frequently employed the lithographic process to achieve effects akin to rapid sketching, characterized by bold, economical line work and the striking use of negative space. This specific print reflects the dynamism and compositional ingenuity he brought to even his smallest scale productions.

The 1895 creation date places the work within the apex of Toulouse-Lautrec’s involvement with commercial and fine art prints. He drew heavily on contemporary influences, including the flat compositions and asymmetric layouts found in Japanese ukiyo-e prints, translating them into a distinctly Parisian sensibility. This approach was integral to his success in elevating printmaking from a reproductive craft to a high art form.

Although the original Quatorze lithographies originales portfolio remains a rare collector’s item, the long history of works originating from this period means that many of the preparatory drawings and related prints by Toulouse-Lautrec are now within the public domain, allowing global accessibility for scholars and enthusiasts. This specific piece is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, ensuring its preservation and availability for continued study of the artist’s vital contribution to the history of the illustrated book and modern printmaking.