Jane Hading, from Treize Lithographies

Jane Hading, from Treize Lithographies by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901), is an important example of the artist's focused late career printmaking. Created in 1898, this work is a lithograph executed on cream wove paper, showcasing Lautrec’s mastery of graphic media. Lautrec was a central figure in documenting the complex social and theatrical life of fin-de-siècle Paris, and this portrait reflects his deep engagement with celebrity culture. As a print, the piece demonstrates Lautrec’s innovative techniques in using the medium for expressive, journalistic ends, capturing movement and character with economic line work. It currently resides in the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering a clear view into the aesthetic preoccupations of the era.

The subject, Jane Hading, was a highly celebrated French stage actress, admired particularly for her dramatic roles during the Belle Époque. Lautrec frequently immortalized performers, dancers, and Parisian nightlife figures in his graphic output. This study, originally part of the Treize Lithographies portfolio, captures the intensity and distinct personality of the sitter through minimal yet precise artistic details characteristic of his work in France. Unlike traditional academic portraiture, Lautrec consistently prioritized the essence of the personality over formal academic detail, often using stark contrasts and negative space to define his subjects. The prolific nature of the artist's output in graphic media means that many of his important prints, including high-resolution images of works like Jane Hading, from Treize Lithographies, are often available for educational and non-commercial study through public domain initiatives today.