Polin, from Treize Lithographies

Polin, from Treize Lithographies by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a significant example of the artist’s dedication to printmaking at the turn of the century. Created in 1898, the work is a lithograph executed on fine ivory laid paper, showcasing the technical precision characteristic of this late 19th-century graphic medium.

This print is one of the thirteen images composing the original portfolio, a series that captured key figures of the Parisian entertainment scene. Lautrec's mastery of the lithographic medium, characterized by its reliance on greasy crayons applied directly to the stone, allowed him to achieve striking immediacy and character definition, moving beyond traditional portraiture toward a more journalistic form of observation. The artist, deeply immersed in the nightlife of fin-de-siècle France, specialized in depicting cabaret singers and actors with an unflinching realism.

The work provides valuable insight into the visual culture surrounding the Belle Époque celebrity. While the subject, Polin, remains an integral part of this historical context, the technical quality of the piece emphasizes Lautrec’s legacy as a graphic artist. Many of his innovative prints, including works from this period, are now considered seminal examples of late 19th-century French graphic arts. This impression of Polin, from Treize Lithographies is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains available for study, often contributing to the body of high-quality prints available through public domain initiatives.