I. Sur la Scene

"I. Sur la Scene," created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1898, is a significant example of the artist's late graphic work. Classified as a print, the work utilizes the demanding process of lithography, specifically featuring the application of a beige tint stone on laid paper. This technical choice allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to introduce subtle warmth and visual depth into the scene, distinguishing the final result from standard black-and-white prints. The lithograph captures the fleeting atmosphere and harsh theatrical lighting characteristic of the Parisian entertainment venues that dominated the artist's visual world at the turn of the century.

Toulouse-Lautrec frequently turned his gaze toward the figures who populated the Montmartre cabarets and theaters, often focusing intimately on women both performing and backstage. The title, which translates to "On the Scene," confirms the professional theatrical setting. This piece, characteristic of the Post-Impressionist master's style, avoids idealized representation, instead offering sharp, empathetic studies of its subjects. Unlike formal portraiture, the composition emphasizes movement and the interplay between the performer and the surrounding stage space. The artist's focus on creating numerous graphic prints facilitated the widespread dissemination of these powerful, modern images.

This masterwork of French graphic art is now held in the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a primary reference for the artist’s mastery of the lithographic medium. As the work is classified as a print from this influential era, it is frequently studied for its innovative technique and historical context concerning the depiction of working women in the public eye. Today, reproductions of Toulouse-Lautrec's influential works, including those considered public domain, continue to capture the complex vibrancy of Belle Époque Paris.