Lender and Lavalliere in "Le fils de l'Aretin" (Lender et Lavallière dans "Le fils de l'Arétin")

Lender and Lavalliere in "Le fils de l'Aretin" (Lender et Lavallière dans "Le fils de l'Arétin") is a lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896. This French print captures the vibrant energy of the Parisian theatrical scene during the influential period spanning 1876 to 1900. Toulouse-Lautrec, a master of graphic arts, utilized the medium of the lithograph to transform commercial illustration and poster design into fine art, documenting the lives of performers, dancers, and actors with unflinching candor.

The work depicts two prominent figures of the Belle Époque stage: dancers Marcelle Lender and Jane Lavallière. They are shown likely captured during a performance of the popular production, Le fils de l'Aretin. Toulouse-Lautrec’s distinctive Post-Impressionist style employs sharp, abbreviated lines and flattened planes of color, prioritizing the immediate visual impact characteristic of modern prints. Unlike formal portraiture, the piece emphasizes the dynamic movement and interaction between the figures on the stage, underscoring the artist’s keen interest in the entertainment culture that defined Montmartre nightlife. This graphic approach cemented Toulouse-Lautrec’s status in the history of French art as a crucial chronicler of fin-de-siècle society.

Created near the end of the 19th century, this piece demonstrates the artist’s commitment to modern subject matter and accessible techniques. The production of prints allowed for wider dissemination, bridging the gap between high art and the viewing public. As a significant example of French graphic arts created between 1876 and 1900, this lithograph resides in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, contributing to the museum's comprehensive holdings of masterworks from the Post-Impressionist era.