Henry Somm

Henry Somm by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a highly characteristic print created in 1897. This stark profile portrait utilizes the challenging technique of zincography, a specialized process of lithographic printmaking that allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to achieve his signature expressive lines and atmospheric texture. The work focuses solely on the head and shoulders of the subject, Henry Somm, highlighting the artist's dedication to capturing the essential character of the people he encountered in Parisian society.

Toulouse-Lautrec was unparalleled in his ability to create concise and psychologically revealing portraits, often utilizing the flattened space and strong outlines favored by contemporary graphic artists. The subject, Somm, is rendered in deep shadow and sharp relief, demonstrating Lautrec’s mastery of the print medium as a vehicle for rapid portraiture. The decision to depict the figure strictly in profile, isolating the subject from any surrounding context, emphasizes the intense observation inherent in the artist's methodology. Such incisive portrayals of contemporary men and women were central to the artist's practice, documenting the fin-de-siècle world of cabarets, theaters, and private social circles.

The widespread availability afforded by the print medium was crucial to Lautrec’s career, establishing his reputation beyond traditional painting circles. This specific impression is a vital inclusion within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as an excellent example of the artist’s prolific output during the late 1890s. As a significant historical print, reproductions of the work often fall under public domain status, allowing wide study of Toulouse-Lautrec's contribution to modern graphic arts.