Portrait of a Man

The artwork Portrait of a Man by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901), executed in 1898, exemplifies the artist's dedication to intimate, direct portraiture late in his career. Classified as a print, this piece utilizes the drypoint technique, pulled from a zinc plate onto carefully selected cream laid Japanese paper. The deliberate choice of paper highlights the sharp, burred lines characteristic of drypoint, a method that allows the artist to score directly into the metal plate, resulting in a characteristically textured, velvety line quality visible in the finished image.

Toulouse-Lautrec, whose artistic period (1864-1901) spanned the vibrant culture of Belle Époque France, was a recognized master of graphic arts. While renowned for his complex color lithographs documenting Parisian nightlife, this drypoint demonstrates his ability to capture individual character with highly economical means. The subject, rendered in near-profile, is defined by rapid, essential lines, focusing the viewer’s attention solely on the man's expression and form. This reliance on minimal line work emphasizes immediacy and spontaneity, qualities Lautrec often sought in his portrayals of individuals, whether they were famous performers or anonymous figures. The use of printmaking techniques allowed for greater distribution and impact of his work across France and the continent.

As a key example of the artist’s graphic output, this print provides insight into the psychological depth that characterized Lautrec’s late work. The quality of the impression on the specialized Japanese paper ensures this is a valuable piece among the artist's finished prints. The work is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as an important record of fin-de-siècle French portraiture.