Menu from the Dinner Tarnais (Dîner des Tarnais)

The Menu from the Dinner Tarnais (Dîner des Tarnais), created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896, is a significant example of French graphic design from the fin-de-siècle period. Executed as a lithograph, this print exemplifies the artist's mastery of the medium, utilizing simplified forms and dynamic line work typical of his famous poster designs. This particular work was commissioned for a specific social event, integrating art directly into the ephemeral material of Parisian dining culture and reflecting the widespread use of lithography for commercial and social projects.

Toulouse-Lautrec specialized in capturing the energy of late 19th-century French social life, moving beyond traditional painting to create accessible and widely distributed prints. Although the subject matter is functional, serving as a document for the specific Dinner Tarnais, the design retains the visual sophistication associated with his larger commercial projects. The artist's distinctive style, characterized by bold outlines and expressive caricature, elevates this simple menu into an enduring artistic statement. This piece reflects Toulouse-Lautrec's commitment to applied arts, often blurring the lines between high art and illustration during a period of intense innovation in commercial graphics.

As a key example of ephemeral art from France, this lithograph provides valuable insight into the social history and visual trends of the era. The work demonstrates how Toulouse-Lautrec effectively translated the vibrancy of everyday life into powerful, recognizable designs, even through small, commissioned prints. This significant piece is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, preserving a unique facet of the artist’s prolific output as a celebrated master of modern graphic arts.