Paula Brébion

Paula Brébion is a lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. This definitive work exemplifies the artist’s commitment to graphic arts and his profound influence on the evolution of poster design and fine art printmaking during the late nineteenth century. The piece was executed as a lithograph in olive green ink applied to high-quality velin paper, demonstrating the medium’s potential for subtle chromatic variation.

Toulouse-Lautrec often embraced the planar forms and stark lines inherent in lithography, techniques that allowed him to capture the immediate, dynamic energy of the performers and figures he depicted in Parisian nightlife. The deliberate choice of an olive green monochromatic palette lends the impression a somber intimacy, reflecting the subdued, gaslit environment of the city’s theaters and dance halls that provided the artist with endless inspiration.

Belonging to the period of 1876 to 1900, this piece situates itself within the highly productive era of French Fin de Siècle culture, where the commercial production of prints dramatically altered how artists interacted with the public. Toulouse-Lautrec, known for his incisive character studies, was instrumental in elevating prints from mere reproductive means to an autonomous artistic classification. His ability to distill a subject’s essence with minimal, yet powerful, lines made him a defining figure of the age.

This particular impression of Paula Brébion is held within the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. The work remains a key reference for understanding the critical role of lithography in modern art. As this important artwork dates from the historical window of 1876 to 1900, high-quality images are frequently classified as public domain resources, ensuring the continued study and appreciation of Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery for contemporary scholars and art enthusiasts.