Lender Bowing (Lender saluant)

Lender Bowing (Lender saluant) is a masterful print executed by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1895. The work is a lithograph rendered specifically in olive green ink on velin paper, a technique that exemplifies Lautrec's command of graphic arts during the late 19th century. This period, often classified by art historians as 1876 to 1900, marks the peak of the French Fin de siècle culture which the artist so extensively documented.

Toulouse-Lautrec was deeply immersed in documenting the celebrity performers and the vibrant, often scandalous, world of Parisian cabarets and theaters. The subject of this specific work, almost certainly a specific performer known as Lender, is captured in the defining moment of formal acknowledgment, leaning forward dramatically after completing a set or routine. Lautrec specialized in capturing these fleeting, unscripted moments, providing an unvarnished view of the labor and theatricality inherent in the entertainment industry.

The choice of olive green ink lends the scene a sophisticated, subdued atmosphere. Unlike the strident, colorful design of his famous advertising posters, this piece favors intimate observation and the subtle study of character. The swift, economical lines define the figure’s posture and movement, emphasizing the instantaneous nature of the bow. The resulting image is a powerful example of the artist's ability to imbue prints with psychological depth.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s sophisticated utilization of the lithograph process allowed him to rapidly reproduce and disseminate images of the contemporary scene, elevating the status of the print medium itself. His contributions remain foundational to modern graphic arts. Today, this significant example of French prints from the period 1876 to 1900 is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., and serves as a key reference for scholars of Post-Impressionist masterworks.