Philibert the Pony (Le poney Philibert)

Philibert the Pony (Le poney Philibert) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a significant example of the artist's graphic work, executed toward the end of his career in 1898. Classified specifically as a print, this piece is a lithograph, showcasing the technical mastery Toulouse-Lautrec achieved in handling the medium with expressive freedom.

Produced during the height of the Belle Époque in France, this 1898 print reflects the artist’s characteristic observational style applied to a seemingly modest subject. While Toulouse-Lautrec is widely celebrated for his large, dynamic posters documenting the celebrity and decadence of Parisian nightlife, this work offers a quieter, more intimate glimpse into the world outside the Montmartre cabarets. The artist utilized the lithograph process not merely for reproduction but as an intrinsic expressive tool, relying on the medium’s capacity for suggestive line work and controlled tonal variation.

The subject focuses plainly on the titular animal. Toulouse-Lautrec captures the pony, Philibert the Pony, through economical and immediate lines, characteristic of his distinctive drawing style. This directness maintains the quality of a quick sketch or study, prioritizing essential form over ornate detail. Unlike his more complex color lithographs designed for large-scale public consumption, this piece operates on a smaller, more personal scale, highlighting the diversity of subjects the French artist addressed during his prolific career.

This work highlights Toulouse-Lautrec's enduring commitment to graphic arts and chronicling elements of modern French life, whether through grand advertisements or small, insightful observations. As a foundational example of late nineteenth-century prints, this lithograph resides in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Scholars and enthusiasts of Post-Impressionist graphic arts frequently reference this piece, which, like many of Toulouse-Lautrec's works from this period, contributes to the accessible body of art available through public domain resources.