Lender and Auguez in "The Song of Fortune"

Lender and Auguez in "The Song of Fortune" is a defining lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1895. This print exemplifies the artist's celebrated mastery of graphic arts and his immersion in the theatrical and commercial milieu of turn-of-the-century Paris. As a master of the lithographic medium, Toulouse-Lautrec utilized simplified, yet forceful, lines and broad areas of color to capture the essence of his subjects, often employing techniques borrowed from Japanese woodblock prints to heighten the dramatic impact and immediacy of the image.

The subject matter centers on two performers, Lender and Auguez, likely from a contemporary music hall or operetta performance advertised through posters and theater programs. Toulouse-Lautrec dedicated much of his career to documenting the personalities and the environment of the Parisian demi-monde, treating the performers of the era not merely as subjects of amusement but as psychological studies of celebrity and vulnerability. In works such as Lender and Auguez in "The Song of Fortune," the artist transforms the ephemeral nature of poster art into enduring commentary on French culture and urban life during the Belle Époque.

Dating from a prolific period in his short career, this piece underscores Toulouse-Lautrec's role as the preeminent chronicler of the era. His dedication to printmaking ensured that his artistic vision, initially intended for mass distribution as posters, would also be preserved as fine art prints. The physical artwork is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, contributing significantly to their representation of late 19th-century French art. The importance of these widely reproduced prints means that high-quality documentation of Toulouse-Lautrec’s catalog is often accessible today through public domain resources, supporting ongoing academic study.