Invitation to an Exhibition

"Invitation to an Exhibition" is a definitive print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1898. This sophisticated work exemplifies the artist's mastery of the lithograph technique, rendered here on cream wove paper. Toulouse-Lautrec, working primarily in France during the Belle Époque, revolutionized poster art and graphic design by leveraging the expressive qualities of color and line work inherent in lithography. This piece, classified simply as a print, showcases the visual brevity and psychological insight that characterized his late career output and cemented his place as a leading figure in 19th-century French culture.

While specific details regarding the event this work advertised are sparse, the style immediately places the image within the context of Parisian artistic promotion around the turn of the century. Lautrec was renowned for capturing the immediacy and vibrant atmosphere of modern life, often focusing on dancers, performers, and society figures encountered in Montmartre’s theaters and cafes. Unlike his massive, highly visible posters, this smaller format suggests a more intimate announcement or private invitation, possibly featuring a portrait of an associate or a specific exhibition subject. The composition relies on strong, simplified silhouettes and minimal line work, a graphic approach perfectly suited for mass reproduction as a fine art print.

This particular impression of Invitation to an Exhibition resides within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key example of the French graphic arts tradition. Lautrec’s prolific output of prints and posters cemented his legacy as a transitional figure between Impressionism and early Modernism. As the copyright on works from this period has expired, high-resolution images of these historic prints are often accessible through public domain initiatives, allowing for broader study of the artist's inventive approach to the commercial and fine art medium.