Rear View of Lender Dancing the Bolero in Chilpéric

Rear View of Lender Dancing the Bolero in Chilpéric is a celebrated color lithograph created in 1895 by the French post-impressionist master Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). This dynamic print captures the essence of Parisian nightlife and the theatrical scene of the late 19th century. Executed on cream wove paper, the work showcases Toulouse-Lautrec's mastery of the lithographic process, particularly his ability to layer vibrant colors to achieve depth and atmospheric effect, utilizing subtle shading to define the voluminous fabrics.

The subject is the famous dancer Marcelle Lender, known for her spirited performances in the popular operetta Chilpéric at the Théâtre des Variétés. Lautrec depicted Lender from behind while she performed the Spanish bolero, focusing intensely on the movement, the cascade of red-orange hair, the extravagant costume, and the dramatic arch of her back. Lautrec often sought to capture authentic, unposed moments of his subjects, particularly the stars of the stage and cabaret, and this focus on the 'rear view' provides an unusually intimate perspective on a public performance.

This piece is regarded as one of Toulouse-Lautrec’s finest works in printmaking, highlighting his role in elevating the medium from commercial advertising to fine art within France. He utilized bold contours and flattened planes characteristic of the period's Japanese influences, ensuring the image retained maximum visual punch. This significant print, Rear View of Lender Dancing the Bolero in Chilpéric, is part of the extensive collection of French fin-de-siècle art housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.