Schlomé Fuss in the Synagogue, from Au Pied du Sinaï

Schlomé Fuss in the Synagogue, from Au Pied du Sinaï is a significant lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French, 1864-1901, in 1897. This print, executed on cream wove paper, showcases the artist’s mastery of the lithographic medium, allowing him to capture the subject with spontaneous, illustrative energy. The work originates from France and was produced as part of a larger publication project, a testament to Toulouse-Lautrec’s prolific career as a printmaker toward the end of the 19th century.

The image focuses on Schlomé Fuss, rendered in an intimate religious setting, illustrating a facet of Parisian communal life outside the usual cabaret culture for which Toulouse-Lautrec is primarily known. The piece was specifically created for the literary work Au Pied du Sinaï (At the Foot of Sinai), a collection of short stories and observations by Georges Clemenceau that explored Jewish communities and daily life. In illustrating Clemenceau’s text, Lautrec provided poignant visual commentary, balancing detailed observation with the highly distinctive, often satirical, graphic style that defined his career.

The composition relies on strong directional lines and open space, characteristic of the artist's mature technique, which was influenced by his study of Japanese prints. This approach emphasizes the individual figure while economically suggesting the atmosphere of the synagogue. As a lithograph, this piece exemplifies the artistic flowering of prints in France during the late 1800s. The artwork is categorized as a vital part of the history of late Impressionist graphic arts and remains in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.