Le Bien d'autrui; Hors Les Lois is a lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1897. This significant print, executed in a deep green ink on wove paper, exemplifies the artist's masterful command of graphic media during the late Fin de Siècle. Toulouse-Lautrec was instrumental in elevating lithography from a reproductive technique to a primary artistic form, employing its potential for sharp definition and dramatic tonal variations. The deliberate use of a single color in this composition imbues the image with a sense of starkness and immediacy, characteristic of the French Post-Impressionist period.
The work belongs squarely within the period designated as 1876 to 1900, a pivotal time when European artists were moving away from naturalism and embracing expressive, subjective forms. Toulouse-Lautrec’s prolific output during these years established him as the preeminent visual chronicler of bohemian Montmartre life, often focusing on subjects considered marginal or illicit. Unlike traditional painting, the medium of prints allowed the artist's imagery to be rapidly disseminated, helping to establish the conventions of modern graphic art in French culture.
This piece reflects the stylistic priorities of the era, showcasing the artist’s characteristic psychological depth and incisive draftsmanship, even when constrained by a monochromatic scheme. The selection of green ink enhances the nocturnal or unsettling mood implied by the title, often translated as "The Property of Others; Outside the Laws."
As a critical document of artistic innovation at the turn of the century, Le Bien d'autrui; Hors Les Lois demonstrates the sophistication achieved by this form of mass-produced fine art. Because of the nature of the medium and the artist's fame, many of Toulouse-Lautrec's works from this prolific period eventually entered the public domain, allowing for widespread study. This important lithograph is maintained as part of the comprehensive collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
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