II. Dans la Glu

II. Dans la Glu is a significant print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1898. This late-career work is a lithograph, executed using a sophisticated beige tint stone applied to laid paper, showcasing the artist's mastery of the demanding printing process. Toulouse-Lautrec frequently employed lithography to capture the fleeting moments of Parisian life at the turn of the century, preferring the democratic nature of prints over singular paintings to distribute his observations widely.

The subject matter aligns with Toulouse-Lautrec's characteristic focus on the women of Montmartre. This piece, whose title translates roughly to "Caught in the Glue," likely refers metaphorically to entrapment or difficulty, a common theme reflecting the artist's keen, yet empathetic, observation of the human condition in the fin de siècle era. While Lautrec is often celebrated for his vibrant posters, this II. Dans la Glu possesses a quieter, more intimate quality. The subdued palette achieved through the careful use of the beige tint stone emphasizes the psychological state of the figures rather than the spectacle of the night world.

As one of the master French prints of the late 19th century, the artwork’s significance is recognized by its inclusion in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The delicate technique demonstrates Lautrec's technical innovation in graphic arts. Like many important works of this period, high-resolution images of the lithograph are often made available to the public domain, ensuring broad access to the penetrating social commentary embedded in the work of Toulouse-Lautrec.