May Belfort, from Treize Lithographies

May Belfort, from Treize Lithographies by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901), created in 1898, captures a distinct personality from the fin de siècle Parisian entertainment scene. Lautrec, a master chronicler of bohemian life, focused keenly on the performers and the night culture of Montmartre. This particular piece, classified as a print, showcases the artist's dedication to the graphic arts during the height of the poster boom in France.

The work is executed as a color lithograph on cream wove paper, a challenging medium that Lautrec embraced for its ability to produce rich, saturated hues and broad, expressive lines. The subject, May Belfort, was a popular Irish singer known for her unique act, which included performing in childlike dresses while often clutching a small black cat. Lautrec masterfully captures her distinctive, slightly melancholic, stage presence through economical line work and flattened planes of color. This image was part of a limited portfolio, Treize Lithographies (Thirteen Lithographs), a collection that highlights the growing market for collectible artist prints at the turn of the century.

Lautrec's innovative approach to composition and his ability to define character with minimal detail solidified his role as a pivotal figure in French modern art. This graphic work became highly influential, making art accessible to a wider audience through mass-produced prints. The original print of May Belfort is a key example of the artist's late career production and currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a landmark 19th-century print, high-resolution images of this work are frequently available for scholarship and educational use in the public domain.