Le Chariot de Terre Cuite

Le Chariot de Terre Cuite is a notable lithograph executed by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1895. Printed on vellum, this piece showcases the artist's masterful handling of the graphic arts, a format in which he achieved international recognition during the late 19th century. The classification of this work as a print underscores its role in the burgeoning movement that utilized lithography to create accessible art and illustrations for publications and posters.

The composition focuses on a procession featuring elements of the exotic, specifically large elephants moving across the scene. Toulouse-Lautrec renders the animals and their entourage with his characteristic economy of line and highly selective use of color, emphasizing dynamic motion and form rather than fine detail. Although the artist is perhaps best known for his depictions of the dancers and social life within the cabarets and theaters of Montmartre, works like Le Chariot de Terre Cuite demonstrate his keen interest in varied spectacles and broader Parisian cultural events.

The technique of lithography provided Toulouse-Lautrec with artistic freedom, allowing him to bypass the limitations of traditional painting and enabling the rapid production of prints. This shift towards graphic arts facilitated widespread distribution, making these late 19th-century prints pivotal examples of modern visual communication. This exceptional example of graphic work resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its inclusion highlights the museum's commitment to conserving important fin-de-siècle prints, ensuring the enduring legacy of Toulouse-Lautrec's profound contribution to modern art history.