Tailpiece from Au Pied du Sinaï

"Tailpiece from Au Pied du Sinaï" is a distinctive work created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1897. This print was intended to serve as a cul-de-lampe, or concluding decorative device, for the significant literary collection Au Pied du Sinaï, a compilation of Georges Clemenceau’s short stories focusing on Jewish life in Eastern Europe. The original image was rendered using lithography, a medium Toulouse-Lautrec mastered, and this specific example is a high-quality reproduction on cream wove paper, categorized as a fine art print.

Lautrec’s contributions to late 19th-century fin de siècle art revolutionized the graphic arts in France. Though renowned for his depictions of Parisian theater and nightlife, this work showcases his versatility in book illustration. The tailpiece is characteristic of the artist’s graphic style, utilizing strong, defining outlines and a focused compositional clarity typical of his prints. Toulouse-Lautrec frequently employed lithography, valuing its immediacy and ability to produce affordable editions accessible to a broad audience, helping to cement his reputation as a master of modern printmaking.

As a functional piece of design, the work provides an abstract or symbolic conclusion to the preceding text. Such reproductions of high-quality prints allow wider public access to the artist's graphic output, and today, many images relating to this period of French art are available for use in the public domain. This significant example of graphic art, dating from the height of the artist’s career, is proudly maintained in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.