May Belfort is a vibrant 1895 color lithograph poster created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901. Executed using the complex process of color lithography on tan wove paper, this influential print exemplifies the artist's dedication to capturing the dynamic spirit of fin-de-siècle Paris. Toulouse-Lautrec became synonymous with the Belle Époque nightlife, utilizing the new medium of poster advertising to document the performers and patrons of Parisian cabarets.
The central figure is the Irish chanteuse May Belfort (1872-1929), whom Lautrec depicts in her trademark stage persona. Belfort was famous for adopting a seemingly innocent, childlike appearance, often singing nursery rhymes while clutching a black kitten, a signature element the artist emphasizes here through simple, highly graphic lines and restricted color palettes. Toulouse-Lautrec's composition is characterized by bold outlines and flat areas of color, a style heavily influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, which made his posters instantly recognizable on the streets of France.
During the 1890s, poster design transitioned from simple commerce into a significant art form, and Lautrec was its undisputed master. His ability to distill personality and performance into striking visual shorthand made his prints some of the most innovative commercial artworks of the period. This important historical and artistic document is classified as a print and is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
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