Lucien Guitry, from Treize Lithographies

Lucien Guitry, from Treize Lithographies is a pivotal print created in 1898 by the esteemed French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). This powerful work, classified as a print, utilizes the demanding technique of lithography on cream wove paper, showcasing the artist's technical mastery late in his career. The subject is Lucien Guitry, a highly regarded actor and director who dominated the Parisian stage during the fin-de-siècle. This piece, which captures Guitry in sharp profile, was part of a limited edition set titled Treize Lithographies (Thirteen Lithographs), reflecting Toulouse-Lautrec’s continuous documentation of the theater and performance culture in France.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s aesthetic in this piece eschews the detailed realism of traditional portraiture, relying instead on concise, expressive lines to define the subject’s profile and intense focus. The resulting composition embodies the dynamic, ephemeral nature of the stage and the bohemian nightlife that captivated the artist. During the 1890s, the dissemination of artistic prints, like this lithograph, played a crucial role in shaping modern visual culture throughout France and Europe. This work served not only as a portrait but as an essential record of Toulouse-Lautrec’s profound engagement with the public figures of his time. This significant historical document of French culture is preserved in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. For scholarly research, the existence of such masterly prints allows the work to be increasingly accessible through various cultural institutions focused on disseminating public domain art assets.