Horsewoman and Cart

Horsewoman and Cart is a significant lithograph created in 1899 by the pivotal French artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). As a master printmaker, Toulouse-Lautrec utilized the specific process of lithography on cream laid paper to capture ephemeral moments of modern life, a subject he frequently explored. The final years of the 19th century in France offered rich subject matter for the artist, who focused on depicting Parisian society beyond the rigid confines of academic painting.

Dating just two years before the artist’s untimely death, the 1899 print encapsulates the graphic energy characteristic of Toulouse-Lautrec’s mature style. The subject, depicting a figure mounted alongside a working cart, is drawn directly from the Parisian milieu, reflecting the artist’s commitment to documenting daily activities rather than idealized narratives. His technique prioritized bold, essential lines and shadow over highly rendered detail, lending the image a feeling of spontaneous observation. This work is classified as a print, a testament to the artist’s role in elevating printmaking to the status of high art during this period in France.

The lasting influence of Toulouse-Lautrec's graphic output continues to be studied internationally. The importance of works like Horsewoman and Cart lies in their innovative use of commercial and popular art techniques to create fine art compositions that felt deeply contemporary. This lithograph is currently held in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a primary example of the artist’s critical contribution to modern graphic arts, ensuring the availability of these historically important prints for researchers and the general public.