Guy and Mealy, in 'Paris qui Marche'

"Guy and Mealy, in 'Paris qui Marche' by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a masterful color lithograph that captures the effervescent energy of the French Belle Époque. Created in 1898, this print exemplifies Lautrec’s keen ability to distill the atmosphere and characters of Parisian nightlife into highly expressive graphic art.

The work, executed using color lithography on cream wove paper, showcases the artist’s groundbreaking approach to printmaking. By using this vibrant and scalable medium, Toulouse-Lautrec elevated the commercial poster to the status of high art, cementing his legacy as a foremost graphic chronicler of the fin de siècle. The classification of this piece as a print speaks to its role in mass dissemination and the democratization of art that characterized the period in France.

Lautrec focused intensely on subjects drawn from the entertainment world, frequently depicting actors, dancers, and the patrons of cabarets and dance halls in Montmartre. The figures of Guy and Mealy, perhaps captured mid-stride or during a performance, embody the swift, modern movement suggested by the title, 'Paris that Walks.' Lautrec utilized bold outlines, flattened perspectives, and selective color placement, techniques inspired partly by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, to convey the intensity and immediacy of the scene.

This piece is crucial for understanding the transition toward Modernism in France. It currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it contributes significantly to the study of 19th-century European prints and posters. Due to its age and cultural importance, prints of this influential artwork are frequently available through public domain collections worldwide.