Philibert the Pony

"Philibert the Pony" is a poignant print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1898. This sophisticated work is executed as a lithograph on ivory wove paper, showcasing the artist's mastery of the demanding graphic medium. Throughout the late 19th century in France, Toulouse-Lautrec actively utilized the accessibility of prints to document the cabaret, circus, and everyday life of Paris, elevating the status of the poster and the reproductive medium.

While often associated with posters advertising Montmartre’s glittering nightlife, this specific piece reveals Toulouse-Lautrec’s nuanced approach to observation. The depiction of Philibert, likely a study from a circus or stable setting, is characterized by the artist’s signature economy of line and immediate sense of form. This detailed lithograph focuses intimately on the animal subject, capturing its physical presence and character without the surrounding urban commotion often found in the artist’s prolific oeuvre. The skillful handling of shadow and texture demonstrates why Lautrec remains one of the most celebrated figures in the history of prints.

Created just three years before his death, the 1898 work is a significant example of the artist's late style within the cultural ferment of France. The revolutionary use of lithography allowed Lautrec's images to circulate widely, making his influential style accessible during a pivotal era for modern graphic arts. This celebrated print, Philibert the Pony, currently resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.