Portrait of a Man (Portrait d'un homme)

The Portrait of a Man (Portrait d'un homme) is an intimate drypoint print created by the celebrated French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Executed during a period spanning 1898 to 1927—a range suggesting it was either among the artist’s final compositions or an edition printed shortly thereafter—this piece exemplifies Toulouse-Lautrec's profound commitment to graphic arts, a field where he was arguably as influential as in his celebrated paintings of Parisian life. The drypoint technique, characterized by lines scored directly into the printing plate, creates a unique burr of metal, resulting in a slightly soft, velvety line quality that provides visual texture and atmospheric depth to the sitter’s features.

Toulouse-Lautrec was renowned for his incisive ability to capture the psychological essence of his subjects with minimal, economical delineation. While many of his iconic works focused on the performers and vibrant energy of Montmartre nightlife, this specific portrait demonstrates the artist’s quiet mastery of individual character study. The man’s demeanor and the artist's focus on defining his profile underscore the direct, observant style that marks much of Post-Impressionist prints produced in France during this era.

As a printmaker, Toulouse-Lautrec contributed significantly to the democratization of modern art, ensuring that high-quality prints were accessible to a broader audience. Works like this Portrait of a Man remain vital documents of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This impression resides within the distinguished permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, providing essential insight into the breadth of the artist’s output in graphic media. Its status in the public domain further ensures the continued study and availability of this critical work.