Mary Hamilton

Mary Hamilton is a significant lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. This work exemplifies the artist’s mastery of color lithography, a medium that allowed him to capture the immediate energy and atmosphere of fin-de-siècle Paris. As a printmaker, Toulouse-Lautrec was instrumental in elevating the status of the lithograph from mere commercial reproduction to high art, often using experimental inking techniques and textural effects to achieve results approaching those of painting.

The piece belongs to a highly productive period when Toulouse-Lautrec was intensively documenting the entertainers, dancers, and often marginalized figures of Montmartre. While the specific identity of the sitter in Mary Hamilton is uncertain, the composition adheres to the French artist’s signature style: expressive line work, flattened perspective influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e prints, and a focus on intimate, unidealized portraiture. This work is characteristic of the artist's dedication to providing an unparalleled visual record of bohemian life in late 19th century France.

The work’s technical excellence and thematic relevance demonstrate why Toulouse-Lautrec is considered one of the most important figures in modern graphic arts. This striking impression of the lithograph resides in the extensive collection of prints at the Cleveland Museum of Art. As with many important historical prints, high-resolution images are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring the broad accessibility and study of this influential depiction of Parisian culture.