May Belfort, from Treize Lithographies

May Belfort, from Treize Lithographies is a significant print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1898. This compelling work, classified formally as a print, utilizes the medium of lithography on cream wove paper, demonstrating the artist's mastery of the graphic arts during the late 19th century. Part of a larger portfolio titled Treize Lithographies (Thirteen Lithographs), the piece captures the essence of the French Belle Époque entertainment scene. The work is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a key example of Post-Impressionist documentation of modern life.

Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) focused intensely on the performers and personalities of Parisian nightlife, often using the swift and direct nature of lithography to achieve spontaneous, reportorial effects. May Belfort, the subject of this print, was an Irish chanteuse famous for her unique, often unsettling juxtaposition of innocent dress and suggestive performance style, performing frequently in the Montmartre cabarets. The work epitomizes the artist’s characteristic use of minimal line, sharp angles, and exaggerated features, reflecting the fleeting and often artificial glamour of the cabaret world in France.

The creation of such prints allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to distribute his artistic vision widely, moving art beyond traditional canvases and into the realm of popular culture. The composition of May Belfort, from Treize Lithographies demonstrates his mature understanding of how to maximize impact through economy of line and negative space. As these masterworks documenting performance and spectacle continue to circulate through the public domain, they underscore the historical importance of the artist’s commitment to capturing the energy and characters of turn-of-the-century Paris.