Footit and Chocolat (Footit et Chocolat)

"Footit and Chocolat (Footit et Chocolat)" is a striking lithograph in black created by the French 19th Century artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Executed using the demanding technique of lithography, the work showcases the artist's remarkable ability to capture the essence of performance and the personalities of his subjects with minimal line and stark contrast. This print serves as a crucial visual document of the Belle Époque, a period when Toulouse-Lautrec frequently documented the night-life, circuses, and entertainment venues of Montmartre, Paris.

The subject matter focuses on the popular comedic duo of the era: George Footit, the English clown, and Rafael Padilla, known as Chocolat, a celebrated Cuban-born performer. Through swift, expressive strokes, Toulouse-Lautrec focuses less on detailed portraiture and more on the dynamic interaction and silhouette of the figures on stage, reflecting the raw energy of their act. This piece, categorized broadly within the period spanning 1776 to 1800, is stylistically consistent with the artist’s later 19th-century output, reflecting the evolution of French graphic arts toward modern sensibilities and mass reproduction.

Toulouse-Lautrec was instrumental in elevating the status of the poster and the print, turning commercial and theatrical advertising into high art. The choice of the lithograph medium allowed for widespread dissemination of imagery related to popular culture, influencing both artistic movements and public taste. This example of French printmaking emphasizes the painter's keen observational skills and his profound empathy for the often-marginalized figures of the entertainment world. This significant piece is designated as a Print and resides within the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the public an essential view into the social history and graphic innovation of the late 1800s.