Sarah Bernhardt

Sarah Bernhardt, created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1898, is an intimate crayon lithograph printed on delicate china paper. This portrait captures the celebrated French actress and cultural icon in a moment of thoughtful repose. As a crucial figure in the late 19th-century Parisian artistic scene, Toulouse-Lautrec frequently documented performers and the leading women of the theater world. This particular work, classified as a fine art print, demonstrates the artist's masterful use of lithography, where the soft texture of the crayon translates effectively onto the paper surface, lending the image a subtle, almost sketch-like quality.

Bernhardt was arguably the most famous woman of her era, known globally as "The Divine Sarah." Unlike the dynamic energy often present in his commercial theater posters, Toulouse-Lautrec renders this portrait with restraint, focusing on her distinctive profile and the dramatic contours of her face. The economy of line characteristic of Lautrec's mature style is evident, ensuring the focus remains entirely on the sitter’s powerful personality. This print stands as a superb example of the artist’s commitment to capturing the essence of Parisian celebrities through refined portraiture. The work resides in the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to its historical significance and age, this masterwork is often available through public domain resources, allowing art enthusiasts access to high-quality prints and studies of Toulouse-Lautrec’s groundbreaking approach to the printmaking medium.