Léonie Yahne and Henry Mayer, in L'Age Difficile

Léonie Yahne and Henry Mayer, in L'Age Difficile by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, is a defining lithograph created in 1895 that captures two prominent figures of the Parisian stage. This print utilizes a complex blend of crayon and spatter techniques, enhanced by the subtractive method of scraping, and is printed in a subtle olive green ink on wove paper. This innovative and elaborate approach to the graphic medium reflects Toulouse-Lautrec's deep engagement with the possibilities of modern printmaking during the fin-de-siècle period.

The artist was renowned for documenting the entertainment culture of late nineteenth-century Paris, specializing in capturing unvarnished, immediate portrayals of performers and patrons. The composition focuses intimately on the interaction between the actress Léonie Yahne and the actor Henry Mayer, likely portraying a pivotal scene from the comedy L'Age Difficile. Toulouse-Lautrec’s characteristic style employs swift, expressive crayon lines to define the figures, while the mottled effect of the spatter technique efficiently establishes atmosphere and depth, lending the work an immediacy akin to a rapidly executed drawing.

As an only state lithograph, this piece represents a direct and singular iteration of the artist’s vision. His frequent collaboration with printers allowed him to push the technical boundaries of the print medium, elevating it beyond reproductive work. The work's compelling depiction of these men and women of the theater offers valuable insight into the dynamic social milieu that defined Toulouse-Lautrec’s prolific graphic output. This exceptional impression resides in the respected prints collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.