Homage to Molière (Hommage à Molière), program for Other People's Property (Le Bien d'autrui) and Outside the Law (Hors les lois) from The Beraldi Album of Theatre Programs

Homage to Molière (Hommage à Molière), program for Other People's Property (Le Bien d'autrui) and Outside the Law (Hors les lois) from The Beraldi Album of Theatre Programs is a specialized lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1897. This program is one component of a compilation of fifty similar prints collected within The Beraldi Album of Theatre Programs, documenting the vibrant Parisian theatrical scene at the close of the nineteenth century.

Toulouse-Lautrec was a critical figure in fin-de-siècle graphic arts, utilizing the commercial medium of the lithograph to capture the frenetic energy and distinctive atmosphere of contemporary French culture. His involvement in creating promotional materials for plays, cabarets, and concerts made his work instantly recognizable across Paris. Although initially created for ephemeral use as an announcement for a specific performance, the artistic merit inherent in the design led to the piece being preserved and cataloged within The Beraldi Album, recognizing the growing importance of graphic design as a fine art form.

The specific reference to Molière in the title anchors the piece within the long tradition of French comedy, contrasting the classical theatrical heritage with the modern performances advertised: Le Bien d'autrui and Hors les lois. As a master of line and composition, Toulouse-Lautrec brought the same immediacy and psychological depth to his programs as he did to his large-scale posters. The classification of the work as a print emphasizes its nature as a reproducible object, a characteristic central to the artist’s prolific career documenting the performing arts in 1897.

This lithograph is an essential example of how Toulouse-Lautrec bridged commercial and fine art during the period. The inclusion of this work in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art reinforces its importance within the history of modern graphic design. Like many works from this prolific period, this print is frequently reproduced and studied, sometimes entering the public domain, thus ensuring continued accessibility to the artist’s unique vision of Parisian life.