The Arrest of Schlomé Fuss, from Au Pied du Sinaï

The Arrest of Schlomé Fuss, from Au Pied du Sinaï by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French, 1864-1901, is a significant example of fin-de-siècle graphic art created late in the artist’s career. Executed in 1897, the work is a sophisticated color lithograph printed on ivory wove paper. This versatile medium allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to experiment with the juxtaposition of expressive line work and bold, often flattened, planes of color, a technique characteristic of his highly influential modern style. Lithography was central to the artist’s career, establishing him as a master of the affiche and the popular visual media consumed across France during this era.

The subject matter relates to the publication Au Pied du Sinaï, a book of Jewish anecdotes and satirical observations by the writer Georges Clemenceau, suggesting that the print functions as a specific narrative illustration rather than a standalone Parisian scene. Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) was celebrated for his ability to capture candid, sometimes harsh, social realities. The Arrest of Schlomé Fuss specifically depicts a moment of dramatic tension, showcasing the artist’s keen eye for capturing personality and social interaction through rapid, economic brushstrokes and distinctive compositional choices.

This striking masterwork of French graphic art offers essential insight into the cultural and visual landscape of France at the end of the 19th century. As an important piece of the artist’s prolific output of prints, this impression is permanently housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Given the age and enduring artistic relevance of the piece, the historical importance of such fine prints often allows high-quality reproductions to enter the public domain for scholarly research and widespread educational access.