Terror of Grenelle (La terreur de Grenelle)

The influential French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created Terror of Grenelle (La terreur de Grenelle) in 1894. This sophisticated print is a lithograph, executed in a muted green-black ink on delicate China paper. Produced during the crucial transition period spanning 1876 to 1900, the work captures the atmospheric tension and focus on character that defined Toulouse-Lautrec’s unique contribution to Post-Impressionist graphic arts.

Toulouse-Lautrec, a master chronicler of Parisian nightlife and social strata, utilized the medium of the lithograph to achieve both immediacy and intensity. The subtle green-black hue contrasts sharply with the pale paper, lending the image a stark, almost cinematic quality. This deliberate lack of full color ensures that attention remains focused on the form, expression, and implied narrative of the subject, aligning with the artist’s preference for psychological portraiture over purely decorative representation. The title, referring to the Grenelle district of Paris, suggests the work may depict a marginalized or notorious figure encountered in this specific area of the city.

This lithograph serves as a primary example of French printmaking at the fin de siècle, demonstrating the era's shift toward using commercial printing techniques for fine art purposes. Toulouse-Lautrec's prolific output of prints significantly shaped the development of poster design and the modern graphic arts movement. His ability to distill complex scenes into powerful, often unsettling compositions secured his legacy. This significant work is held within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing scholarly access to a crucial piece of late 19th-century artistry.