Mme. Le Marguoin, Milliner (Mme. Le Marguoin, modiste)

Mme. Le Marguoin, Milliner (Mme. Le Marguoin, modiste) is a sophisticated lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1900, marking the final year of the crucial period spanning 1876 to 1900 that defined modern French art. Executed in black ink on fine vélin paper, this print showcases the artist’s characteristic spontaneity and mastery of graphic technique. Toulouse-Lautrec frequently employed the lithographic medium, valuing its ability to reproduce spontaneous drawing and reach a broader, more modern audience through easily reproducible prints.

Unlike some of his more kinetic scenes depicting Parisian cabaret dancers and performers, this portrait focuses on an individual integral to the city's robust professional class. Mme. Le Marguoin, a milliner, represents the essential entrepreneurial women operating within the flourishing fashion trade of the Belle Époque. Toulouse-Lautrec captured the milliner using the precise, economical draftsmanship typical of his mature period. The use of sharp, confident lines and nuanced shadow work provides a sense of psychological weight to the sitter, moving beyond simple realism to capture the woman's character and posture.

This work reflects Toulouse-Lautrec's consistent interest in documenting the diverse social strata of late fin-de-siècle Paris. The lithograph stands as a valuable example of the late 19th-century French culture, emphasizing the importance of graphic arts in the evolution of modern visual language. Mme. Le Marguoin, Milliner currently resides in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key reference point for the study of the artist’s contributions to printmaking. Due to its historical significance and age, the work is frequently made available through public domain archives for study and appreciation.