Réjane and Galipaux, in Madame Sans-Gêne

The color lithograph Réjane and Galipaux, in Madame Sans-Gêne by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) captures a moment from the famed 1893 Parisian theatrical success. Created the same year the play premiered, this work documents two prominent actors of the era, Gabrielle-Charlotte Réju (Réjane) and François-Jules Galipaux, in their respective roles. Lautrec, known for his intimate and incisive portrayals of nightlife and performance in fin-de-siècle France, executed this piece using a sophisticated color lithography technique on cream wove paper.

The subject matter relates to Victorien Sardou and Émile Moreau’s historical comedy Madame Sans-Gêne, which features the story of a laundress turned duchess during the Napoleonic era. Lautrec’s composition focuses on the expressive gestures and theatrical energy of the actors, highlighting the tension and drama inherent in their stage interaction. Unlike the idealized portraits often favored by critics, the 1864-1901 artist captured the raw vitality and unique profiles of his subjects, transforming ephemeral stage events into enduring graphic art.

As one of the era’s most innovative graphic artists, Toulouse-Lautrec mastered the print medium, utilizing it to blur the lines between high art and commercial advertisement. This particular impression of the lithograph provides insight into the popular culture and visual language of 1890s Paris. This important print, representative of Lautrec’s deep engagement with the Parisian stage, is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, making the study of his technique accessible to researchers and enthusiasts of French prints.