Rehearsal at the Folies-Bergère, Emilenne D'Alençon and Mariquita

Rehearsal at the Folies-Bergère, Emilenne D'Alençon and Mariquita by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) is a celebrated lithograph dating from 1893, capturing a private moment behind the theatrical spectacle. As a master of the affiche and graphic arts, Toulouse-Lautrec utilized the lithographic medium on cream wove paper to achieve the spontaneity and expressive lines necessary to document the volatile energy of Parisian nightlife during the Fin de siècle in France. The classification of this work as a print underscores its significance in the burgeoning commercial art world of the late 19th century.

The composition focuses intensely on two renowned performers: the dancer Emilenne D'Alençon and her colleague Mariquita. Unlike traditional staged portraits, Lautrec depicts the women candidly, likely during a moment of rest or intense discussion rather than performance. His observational style provides an almost journalistic glimpse into the working lives of performers at the Folies-Bergère. Lautrec's innovative approach often borrowed from Japanese ukiyo-e prints, employing stark silhouettes, flattened perspectives, and strong outlines that characterize the era's aesthetic shift toward Modernism.

This impression of the lithograph resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The piece is a critical example of how Toulouse-Lautrec elevated graphic arts to the level of high art, providing vital cultural documentation of his period. As one of the most recognizable works by the artist, the image is widely studied, and high-quality reproductions often fall into the public domain, ensuring global access to this important work of French culture.