Program for L'Argent

The striking artwork, Program for L'Argent, was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1895. This piece is a remarkable example of the fin-de-siècle poster revolution in France, demonstrating how commercial graphics quickly ascended to the status of high art. The artist executed the work as a color lithograph on cream wove paper, showcasing the vibrant printing techniques that defined Parisian graphic arts in the 1890s. The medium, a key component of Lautrec’s prolific output, allowed for broad distribution and high visibility for cultural events.

As a functional program, the work served to advertise or commemorate a theatrical or literary production, likely one focused on the critical theme of money, hinted at by the title. Lautrec’s innovative approach to design is characterized by bold outlines, flattened fields of color derived from Japanese woodblock prints, and a dynamically cropped composition. These stylistic choices place this print firmly within the history of modern advertising art.

The artist’s exceptional ability to capture the essence of Parisian nightlife and popular culture made him a towering figure in the era’s visual landscape. Lautrec transformed ephemeral documents like programs and posters into lasting works of artistic merit, solidifying his legacy as a master of the color lithograph. Today, works such as Program for L'Argent are highly prized examples of late 19th-century French graphic production. This original impression is held in the esteemed prints and drawings collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.