The influential French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created the artwork titled Raphaël; Salomé in 1896. This piece, classified within the medium of prints, utilizes the technique of lithograph executed in rich black ink upon light brown wove paper. Created toward the end of the period 1876 to 1900, this work exemplifies the Parisian Fin de Siècle fascination with graphic arts and the dramatic potential of line. Toulouse-Lautrec was a pioneer in using the lithographic stone as a primary artistic tool, elevating the status of printmaking within the contemporary art world.
Toulouse-Lautrec specialized in capturing the physical appearances and internal lives of figures drawn from modern Parisian society. While the title Raphaël; Salomé suggests a complex literary or theatrical narrative-likely referencing the biblical figure of Salomé or a stage production concerning her-the execution reflects the artist’s characteristic focus on expression and gesture. Unlike his more famous, multicolored advertisement posters, this specific print relies solely on the stark contrast provided by the black lithographic crayon against the subtle tone of the paper. This reliance emphasizes economy of line and strong, immediate graphic composition. Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery lies in his ability to translate dramatic psychological tension into concise visual form, making the single-color print feel dynamic and fully realized.
As a key figure in French culture during the late nineteenth century, Toulouse-Lautrec produced a vast body of prints that solidified his legacy as a master draughtsman. This particular lithograph, Raphaël; Salomé, stands as an important example of his non-commercial graphic work. It is held in the comprehensive collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it helps document the technical evolution and stylistic preferences of printmaking during the years 1876 to 1900. Because this influential work is considered to be in the public domain, high-resolution digital references are widely available for global study.
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