Lender Seated

Lender Seated is a characteristic lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901 in 1895. This print, executed on ivory wove paper, showcases the artist’s sophisticated command of the lithographic medium, a technique he embraced for its ability to produce sharp lines and broad, defined areas of color. As a key figure documenting fin-de-siècle France, Toulouse-Lautrec focused his gaze on the rapidly changing social scene of Paris during the Belle Époque.

The subject of the work is Marcelle Lender, a celebrated dancer and actress renowned for her powerful stage presence, whom Toulouse-Lautrec frequently depicted. Unlike traditional academic portraits, this piece captures an intimate or off-stage moment, reflecting the artist’s interest in depicting the humanity behind the public persona. He utilizes an economy of line and bold compositional cropping, techniques often borrowed from contemporary Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, to heighten the sense of immediacy and observation.

The widespread circulation of prints allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to function effectively as a chronicler and critic of contemporary life, helping establish the modern poster and graphic arts tradition. This work, dated 1895, exemplifies the psychological depth and observational skill that define his maturity as an artist. Such studies of Parisian nightlife and culture are considered crucial primary documents of the period in France. This highly significant print is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the museum's comprehensive holdings of French art from the 19th century.