Sybil Sanderson, from Treize Lithographies

Sybil Sanderson, from Treize Lithographies by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a significant print created in 1898. This portrait captures the American operatic soprano Sybil Sanderson, who achieved great fame performing at the Opéra-Comique and Opéra de Paris in France during the 1890s. Toulouse-Lautrec’s central focus on documenting the performers and celebrities of Parisian nightlife is evident here; Sanderson was a recognized international star whom the artist frequently encountered in theatrical circles.

The work is a lithograph, executed using the demanding print medium on ivory laid paper. Lautrec mastered the lithographic process, using it not only for commercial posters but also for intimate, focused portraits such as this. His technique typically emphasizes expressive line work and distilled forms, capturing the essence of the sitter with minimal shading and economical use of color. This approach allowed Lautrec to achieve psychological depth and immediate recognition of his subjects, distinguishing his work from many contemporary printmakers.

The series Treize Lithographies, which includes this depiction of Sanderson, was produced late in the artist's life, summarizing his enduring commitment to portraiture and the spectacle of the theater. As a highly influential figure of the Post-Impressionist era, Lautrec’s prints remain crucial resources for studying late 19th-century French visual culture and the graphic arts tradition. This important impression of Sybil Sanderson, from Treize Lithographies is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Reproductions of works like this print are sometimes made available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader access to the legacy of this key French artist.