Sarah Bernhardt from Portraits of Actors and Actresses: Thirteen Lithographs (Portraits d'Acteurs & Actrices: Treize Lithographies)

Sarah Bernhardt from Portraits of Actors and Actresses: Thirteen Lithographs (Portraits d'Acteurs & Actrices: Treize Lithographies) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a significant print from the fin-de-siècle French artistic scene. Created in 1898, this lithograph forms part of a dedicated portfolio centered on the major theatrical figures active in Paris during the late nineteenth century.

Toulouse-Lautrec established his reputation through works that chronicled the vibrant, often raw, reality of Parisian nightlife and performance culture. In this piece, the artist depicts the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt, a subject of international fame frequently dubbed "The Divine Sarah." Unlike traditional, idealized portraits of celebrities, Toulouse-Lautrec employs the bold, simplified lines and graphic economy characteristic of his mature style. The resulting image is less concerned with flattery and more focused on capturing the immediate, recognizable essence of the sitter.

The chosen medium, lithography, allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to translate his expressive drawing into reproducible prints, making his commentary on modern French society widely accessible. Although the original works were drawn in 1898, the complete portfolio, documenting the era’s foremost stage personalities, was formally published circa 1906, several years after the artist's death. This series of prints solidified Toulouse-Lautrec’s legacy not just as a painter, but as a foundational master of modern graphic design.

This work serves as both a historical document and a quintessential example of the artist’s contribution to post-Impressionist printmaking. This specific lithograph, reflecting the vitality and immediacy of the period, is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Works from this crucial period of French art are frequently studied and, where applicable, prints are often made available through public domain initiatives worldwide.