Paula Brébion from Le Café Concert

The work Paula Brébion from Le Café Concert was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. This piece is part of a significant body of work chronicling Parisian nightlife during the Fin de Siècle. As a central figure in French Post-Impressionism, Toulouse-Lautrec captured the raw energy and fleeting dramas found within dance halls and performance venues. The selection focuses specifically on the performer Paula Brébion, providing an intimate glimpse into the world of the café-concert patrons and entertainers whom the artist frequently depicted.

Classified as an Illustrated Book, this particular image is one of twenty-three lithographs that comprised the original published portfolio, which also included the wrapper front and a duplicate print on the box. Toulouse-Lautrec was instrumental in elevating the status of color lithography, using the medium to achieve striking contrasts and dynamic lines that were easily reproducible. These highly sought-after prints allowed the artist to disseminate his vision of the Parisian underworld widely. The lithographic process permitted a freedom of style that mimics rapid sketching, perfectly suited to capturing the movement and personality of figures like Brébion.

Toulouse-Lautrec's dedication to documentary realism meant his subjects were often recognized celebrities or distinctive personalities of the time. While Brébion may not be as universally famous today as some of his other muses, the work exemplifies the artist's signature style of candid observation and psychological depth. The image, dating to 1893, is essential for understanding the critical role of popular culture in his œuvre. This important French depiction of celebrity performance resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ensuring its continued study and accessibility for future generations.