La Goulue Before the Court (La Goulue devant le Tribunal)

The influential work, La Goulue Before the Court (La Goulue devant le Tribunal) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, was executed in 1899. This piece, classified as a print, is a significant example of Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery of the lithograph medium. Created near the end of the 19th century, this late work captures the artist's signature preoccupation with the social figures and dramatic vignettes of Parisian cabaret life. The choice of lithography allowed for quick production and wide dissemination of images, echoing the immediacy and energy of the fin-de-siècle culture.

The subject, La Goulue (Louise Weber), was one of Toulouse-Lautrec’s most frequent and famous models, celebrated as a provocative dancer at the Moulin Rouge. However, unlike the vibrant posters showing her in performance, this particular work depicts her in a moment of formal confrontation. The title alludes to a period in La Goulue’s later career when, having left the dance halls, she attempted to establish herself as an independent street performer. The piece likely refers directly to the legal troubles or disputes she faced while trying to secure performing permits or dealing with local authorities. This work offers a critical, unromanticized view of a celebrity figure's decline within French society.

Toulouse-Lautrec's characteristic expressive line work and dramatic compositional framing are evident throughout the print. His skillful handling of shadow and contour emphasizes the tension of the scene and the psychological weight borne by the subject. As a pivotal figure in the development of modern poster art and graphic prints, the artist’s contribution to the visual culture of 1899 remains profound. This important lithograph resides in the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it serves as a key example of the French graphic arts tradition. Today, high-quality prints derived from this work continue to circulate widely, allowing the public to engage with the artist’s unique vision.