Sybil Sanderson, from Treize Lithographies

Sybil Sanderson, from Treize Lithographies is a distinctive print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) in 1898. Executed as a lithograph on cream wove paper, this work exemplifies the artist's mastery of graphic art during the final years of the 19th century. Toulouse-Lautrec was fundamentally committed to the medium of the print, appreciating its immediacy and capacity for broad distribution, allowing him to capture the ephemeral energy of Parisian life. This specific image is one of a suite of thirteen lithographs known collectively as Treize Lithographies, showcasing influential and often controversial figures in the contemporary social and entertainment circles of France.

The subject is Sybil Sanderson (1864-1903), an acclaimed American soprano who achieved significant fame performing in Paris. Sanderson was one of the many stage figures who captivated Toulouse-Lautrec, whose oeuvre often centered on singers, dancers, and actors from the vibrant Belle Époque scene. Unlike the sprawling, dynamic compositions of his famous posters, this piece offers a focused, intimate portrayal. Lautrec uses the lithographic process to achieve a subtle handling of line and tone, emphasizing the delicate contour of the subject against the neutral ground of the cream wove paper, typical of high-quality French prints produced at the time.

This print functions both as a record of a notable personality and as a testament to the technical advancements in graphic art at the century’s close. Lautrec's concise and observational style cemented his role as an indispensable chronicler of modern culture. This significant work is preserved in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it provides critical insight into the history of French art and the evolution of the print as a major artistic classification.