Sarah Bernhardt in "Cleopatra" (Sarah Bernhardt dans "Cléopatre")

Sarah Bernhardt in "Cleopatra" (Sarah Bernhardt dans "Cléopatre") is a powerful lithograph in black created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896. The work captures the iconic French actress Sarah Bernhardt during her famed portrayal of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Toulouse-Lautrec, renowned for documenting the vibrant theatrical and nightlife of Paris, often focused his attention on the celebrities and performers who defined the Fin de Siècle era.

Executed as a lithograph, the chosen medium allowed the artist to achieve expressive, immediate lines, prioritizing form and dramatic shadow over complicated color palettes. The severe black-and-white treatment heightens the dramatic tension inherent in the theatrical moment, capturing the subject's intense gaze and commanding stage presence. Toulouse-Lautrec’s economical approach relies on dynamic contours rather than complex shading to define the figure and her elaborate costume.

This piece exemplifies the flourishing French printmaking culture prevalent during the 1876 to 1900 period, when the lithograph became a critical vehicle for artists to disseminate modern imagery to a wider public, bridging the gap between fine art and commercial illustration. Bernhardt’s 1896 performance was a cultural landmark, and Toulouse-Lautrec’s keen observation immortalizes her lasting star power. This rare print of Sarah Bernhardt in "Cleopatra" is a significant example of the artist's engagement with contemporary celebrity culture and graphic design. It currently resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. As a cornerstone of late nineteenth-century graphic art, this historical print is frequently digitized and made available for study through public domain initiatives.