Frontispiece for Yvette Guilbert

The Frontispiece for Yvette Guilbert is a key lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901 in 1898. Executed as a print on ivory laid paper, this work exemplifies the artist’s mastery of the graphic medium and his dedication to capturing the vibrant culture of fin de siècle Paris. Toulouse-Lautrec consistently utilized the commercial possibilities of printmaking to document the modern experience, frequently turning to the celebrated performers, dance halls, and cabarets of France for his inspiration.

This particular piece served as the opening illustration for a publication, likely an album or monograph dedicated to the famous cabaret singer and actress Yvette Guilbert. Known for her distinctive long black gloves and sardonic stage presence, Guilbert was one of the artist's most frequently depicted subjects. Toulouse-Lautrec employed the lithographic process with characteristic finesse, utilizing strong, economical contours and carefully placed shading to capture the performer’s essence. The choice of the frontispiece format underscores the vital relationship between modernist art, commercial design, and the burgeoning publishing industry in the late 1890s.

As an enduring example of period documentation and graphic innovation, this specific print is preserved in the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The lasting legacy of Toulouse-Lautrec's work, particularly his numerous prints and posters, continues to influence graphic arts today. Many of his innovative designs are now considered public domain works, ensuring their wide accessibility to contemporary audiences interested in the history of French modernist art.