In Their Forties

In Their Forties, created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893, is a characteristic print from the artist's output capturing the social environment of fin-de-siècle Paris. This specific impression is a crayon lithograph, utilizing olive green ink printed on delicate imitation japan paper. The technical details, noted as the only state known, emphasize Toulouse-Lautrec's experimental and sophisticated approach to graphic arts, moving beyond simple delineation towards expressive color and texture.

The print reflects the artist’s dedication to capturing unidealized observations of modern life. The subject matter centers on a candid portrayal of men and women, likely figures encountered in the cafés or private settings that the artist frequented. Despite the generalized title, the work is less a formal portrait and more a commentary on the gestures and interactions of people in middle age. Toulouse-Lautrec employs his characteristic swift, economical lines, derived from his drawing practice, to convey immediate psychological reality rather than high society polish.

As a masterful example of French printmaking from the period, In Their Forties demonstrates the technical skill that cemented Toulouse-Lautrec's reputation as a key figure in post-Impressionist graphic design. This pivotal work, highlighting the artist’s sharp interest in character studies, resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Examples of important works like these lithographs, now occasionally entering the public domain, continue to provide vital insight into 19th-century French culture.