Frontispiece

The work Frontispiece was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1898. As a defining figure of Post-Impressionism and the graphic arts, Toulouse-Lautrec utilized the medium of lithography, a printmaking technique he mastered and popularized during the late 19th century. This French piece belongs to the vibrant period of 1876 to 1900, when artists abandoned traditional academic styles in favor of immediate, often scandalous, scenes of modern urban life. Toulouse-Lautrec's prolific output of prints cemented his status as the primary visual chronicler of Parisian nightlife, from the dance halls of Montmartre to the brothels and theaters.

Consistent with his characteristic approach, this piece employs a bold, simplified composition, utilizing dynamic line and contour to convey energy and subject specificity, often influenced by Japanese woodblock prints. Although a frontispiece typically serves as an introductory or illustrative element for a larger text, the drawing itself showcases the artist’s commitment to quick, observational sketching and subtle caricature. The use of the lithographic process allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to achieve fluid lines and subtle texture, echoing the immediacy and spontaneity required to depict the fleeting scenes he observed. These widely circulated prints demonstrated the growing critical importance of graphic art during the Fin de Siècle, moving beyond mere commercial utility into the realm of fine art collecting.

This significant French print is currently held in the extensive collection of the National Gallery of Art. Its importance lies not only in its technical skill but in its historical placement within the period 1876 to 1900, reflecting the revolutionary social and artistic shifts taking place in Paris. Today, high-resolution reproductions of major works by the artist, including this Frontispiece, are frequently made available as part of public domain initiatives, ensuring continued access to these masterworks of graphic design.