Miss May Belfort (large plate)

Miss May Belfort (large plate) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, created in 1895, is a definitive example of the artist's mastery of the color lithograph technique. Executed on cream wove paper, this large-format print (Classification: Print) was essential to the commercial art market and the dissemination of high-quality images throughout Fin-de-siècle France. Lautrec utilized the lithographic process not just for reproducing paintings, but as an expressive medium in its own right, employing broad, flat areas of color and strong, gestural lines to maximize impact.

The subject is Miss May Belfort, an Irish singer who gained notoriety in the Parisian cabarets, performing frequently at venues such as the Moulin Rouge. Lautrec captures her signature performance style: a deliberate juxtaposition of childlike innocence (often seen in her costume and appearance) with often provocative material, reflecting the cynical humor characteristic of the urban nightlife he so meticulously documented. This piece provides a visual record of the theatrical world of 1890s France.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s ability to condense a complex theatrical presence into a powerful graphic image cemented his status as a pivotal figure in modern art. The bold composition and innovative use of color show why his posters and prints influenced generations of designers and artists. As a significant document of turn-of-the-century culture, this artwork is held within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. High-quality prints of many works by the artist are now widely accessible via public domain repositories, demonstrating the lasting global importance of Toulouse-Lautrec’s oeuvre as a master printmaker.