Judic

Judic by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a significant example of French printmaking from the fin de siècle era. Created in 1894, this work is a lithograph executed with characteristic energy on cream wove paper. Lautrec was a central figure in documenting the vibrant, often subterranean, cultural life of Paris during the late 19th century, particularly the world of cabarets, dance halls, and theaters. The choice of the lithographic medium was critical to the artist's practice, allowing him to produce striking compositions quickly and distribute them widely as posters and prints, appealing directly to the public.

As an influential modern artist working in France, Lautrec often immortalized the celebrities and performers of Montmartre. While the title refers to the famous French actress and singer Anna Judic (Marie-Louise-Aline Pigeaux), the figure portrayed here is rendered with the characteristic expressive line work and flattening of form for which Lautrec is renowned. His skilled handling of the medium captures a spontaneous, intimate glimpse, reflecting the era's fascination with psychological portraiture and fleeting moments of modern urban life.

This important print is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key representation of Lautrec’s pivotal role in the development of modern graphic arts. The image, now considered part of the public domain due to its age and the artist's passing over a century ago, continues to influence artists studying the expressive potential of prints and late nineteenth-century portraiture.