Louise Balthy from Portraits of Actors and Actresses: Thirteen Lithographs (Portraits d'Acteurs & Actrices: Treize Lithographies) is a defining work by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1898. This print is one of thirteen individual lithographs compiled for a focused portfolio dedicated to the dynamic figures of the Parisian stage. Toulouse-Lautrec, already renowned for his innovative approach to graphic arts and poster design, utilized the medium of lithography to capture the immediacy and psychological insight of his subjects, a central theme in his mature oeuvre.
The subject, Louise Balthy, was a notable personality within the vibrant world of fin-de-siècle French performance. Toulouse-Lautrec consistently sought to portray his theatrical subjects in candid, unidealized moments, often showing the fatigue or intensity that lay beneath the public persona. Through masterful control of the greasy crayon on the stone, the artist achieves sharp outlines and textural variations inherent in the lithographic process. His technique emphasizes expressive contour lines rather than volumetric modeling, creating a direct image that echoes the rapid pace and often harsh lighting of the theaters he frequented.
This piece, dating to 1898, exemplifies the artist's sustained artistic focus on the actors, dancers, and entertainers who populated Montmartre. The complete portfolio, Portraits d'Acteurs & Actrices, serves as an important visual index of cultural figures from the era. As a significant print from the turn of the century, this work highlights the shift in art towards mass reproducibility and commercial distribution that Toulouse-Lautrec championed. The status of such prints ensures wide scholarly access; many works by this French master are now available through public domain initiatives worldwide. This important French print is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York.
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