Mlle. Lender and Baron (Mlle. Lender et Baron)

Mlle. Lender and Baron (Mlle. Lender et Baron) is a key work by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1893. This piece is classified as a print, specifically a sophisticated lithograph executed primarily in olive green ink. Toulouse-Lautrec, known for documenting the vibrant world of late 19th-century Parisian entertainment, often captured candid moments featuring the stars and patrons of the Moulin Rouge, theaters, and cabarets.

The artwork depicts the celebrated dancer and actress Marcelle Lender alongside an unidentified companion, presumably the Baron referred to in the title. Lender was a major figure in the Parisian entertainment scene, and her collaborations with the artist resulted in some of his most memorable graphic works. Rendered in the restricted palette of olive green, the print exemplifies Toulouse-Lautrec's characteristic use of fluid line and dramatic composition to convey movement and mood. By focusing on the candid interaction between the figures rather than idealized portraiture, the artist captured the fleeting, often unglamorous reality behind the glittering façade of the Belle Époque.

This specialized form of color lithography highlights the innovative techniques Toulouse-Lautrec employed to translate quick sketches into widely reproducible prints, making his art accessible to a broader audience during the French art market boom of the era. Produced during the expansive period spanning 1876 to 1900, this piece reflects a broader cultural shift where artists turned away from academic traditions toward the immediacy of urban life. Toulouse-Lautrec's detailed depictions of performers became iconic representations of the fin-de-siècle. As one of his significant prints, the work holds enduring art historical value, reflecting his mastery of the medium. Mlle. Lender and Baron is preserved within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.