Réjane and Galipaux, in Madame Sans-Gêne

Réjane and Galipaux, in Madame Sans-Gêne is a significant color lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901 in 1893. This compelling print, executed using multiple colors on cream laid Japanese paper, captures two celebrated stage performers who were central figures in the vibrant Parisian theater world of the fin-de-siècle. Toulouse-Lautrec, a visual chronicler of the period, elevated commercial posters and program illustrations into serious art, utilizing the lithographic process to achieve broad fields of color and sharp, expressive outlines.

The subject features the actress Réjane, renowned for her spirited stage presence, and the actor Galipaux, likely depicted in costume for the contemporary hit play Madame Sans-Gêne by Victorien Sardou. This print exemplifies Toulouse-Lautrec's ability to distill the essence of performance and celebrity culture. He utilizes a style characterized by flattened forms and unconventional cropping, influences derived from Japanese woodblock prints, to heighten the sense of immediacy and dynamism. The artist’s keen focus on capturing the intimate and often unvarnished moments of the Parisian demimonde makes the 1893 piece characteristic of his mature output.

As an important example of Post-Impressionist graphic work, this color lithograph highlights Toulouse-Lautrec's essential contribution to modern printmaking in France. The work is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it is classified as a vital example of late 19th-century French prints. Like many of the artist's graphic outputs from this prolific period, this impression is widely studied today, having entered the public domain, which allows for greater accessibility and appreciation of the original 1893 creation.