Portraits of Actors and Actresses: Thirteen Lithographs (Portraits d'Acteurs & Actrices: Treize Lithographies)

Portraits of Actors and Actresses: Thirteen Lithographs (Portraits d'Acteurs & Actrices: Treize Lithographies) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is an important print portfolio conceptualized in 1898 and published posthumously around 1906. This French cultural output is composed of thirteen individual lithographs, accompanied by a dedicated lithographed cover sheet, providing a concentrated look at the theatrical world of Paris at the close of the 19th century.

Toulouse-Lautrec was renowned for his dedication to documenting the human element of performance, eschewing idealized forms in favor of candid, powerful character studies. The subject matter, focusing exclusively on actors and actresses, allowed him to deploy his signature approach to graphic arts: sharp outlines, expressive use of color (or lack thereof, depending on the edition), and unconventional compositions influenced heavily by Japanese woodblock prints. The artist treated the technique of lithography not just as a means of reproduction, but as an expressive tool, perfectly suited for the gritty yet glamorous world of the stage and its inhabitants.

The thirteen portraits provide a fascinating social commentary on the celebrities and character types defining the fin-de-siècle entertainment scene. Toulouse-Lautrec's works, executed in 1898, demonstrate his proficiency across the various stages of printmaking. Although the initial artistic production dates to the late 1890s, the final assembly and publication c. 1906 ensures this work falls into the category of early 20th-century artistic documentation. As a series of highly sought-after prints, Portraits d'Acteurs & Actrices highlights the rapid proliferation of mass-produced, high-quality graphic imagery in French society. This comprehensive print collection, a cornerstone of late Post-Impressionist graphic work, is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.