Sept pointes seches

Sept pointes seches, a portfolio comprising seven drypoint prints, was published in 1911 using plates and preparatory materials left by the celebrated French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Although Toulouse-Lautrec died in 1901, the production and printing of this collection took place during the subsequent early modernist period of 1901 to 1925, securing his enduring legacy in graphic arts.

The drypoint technique, favored by the artist, involves scratching directly onto a copper plate using a sharp needle. This action raises a delicate burr of metal that, when inked, holds residue and produces the distinctive soft, rich, and velvety lines seen in these prints. Toulouse-Lautrec was a seminal figure in late 19th-century art, using printmaking and lithography to capture the dynamic, often gritty reality of Parisian life, focusing particularly on the theaters, cabarets, and private world of Montmartre.

Even though this portfolio was assembled posthumously, the works within demonstrate the characteristic immediacy, psychological depth, and economical draftsmanship that defined his style. This focus on capturing fleeting moments and intimate portraits solidifies his place not only within French art history but also as a master documentarian of the Belle Époque.

This important set, classified formally as a portfolio, resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art (NGA). The survival and accessibility of these rare prints underscore Toulouse-Lautrec’s profound influence on graphic design and illustration. As works created during the 1901 to 1925 era, the prints are vital research objects, frequently studied through initiatives relating to the accessibility of art, ensuring that this major component of the artist’s contribution remains available to the public domain.