Prospectus—Programme de l'Oeuvre

Prospectus-Programme de l'Oeuvre by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French, 1864-1901, is a significant lithograph dating from 1895. Produced during the height of the artist's engagement with Parisian nightlife and promotional arts, this print exemplifies the dynamic style of graphic design characteristic of the Belle Époque in France. As a prospectus or program, the work likely served to advertise or announce a specific event, exhibition, or publication related to the art world Lautrec frequented.

Lautrec was a master printmaker whose technical innovations in lithography revolutionized poster design and commercial art. This particular impression, executed on tan wove paper, showcases the artist’s characteristic flattened forms and expressive line work, techniques often influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Unlike traditional painting, this form was designed for mass distribution and consumption, making the artist’s prints highly influential in modern visual culture. The medium allowed Lautrec to capture the specific atmosphere and immediate energy of fin-de-siècle Paris with speed and boldness.

This piece demonstrates the central role graphic arts played in French modernity during the late 19th century. Lautrec’s ability to merge high art sensibilities with commercial needs solidified his legacy as a pioneer of the poster medium. This specific 1895 work, Prospectus-Programme de l'Oeuvre, is maintained in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Its historical importance ensures that reproductions of this and similar prints are widely studied, securing the artwork’s presence within the larger framework of public domain collections.