The Arton Trial (Procès Arton), third plate

The Arton Trial (Procès Arton), third plate, is a key lithograph created by the French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896. This print exemplifies the artist's focused engagement with contemporary socio-political events and his profound mastery of the graphic arts medium. As a lithograph, the technique allowed for rapid reproduction and dissemination, making it an ideal vehicle for capturing and commenting on the dramatic, often scandalous, public events unfolding during one of the period's most famous judicial proceedings.

The Procès Arton centered on the controversial figure of Émile Arton, a central player implicated in the massive Panama Canal corruption scandals that rocked the Third Republic in the 1890s. Toulouse-Lautrec was frequently commissioned or chose to document scenes of public life, including the theaters, cabarets, and, in this instance, the intense environment of the legal courts. His signature style, characterized by sharp observation, expressive line work, and an almost journalistic immediacy, is powerfully evident in this plate, which likely captures a specific moment of tension or testimony within the courtroom.

Unlike his contemporaries who often focused on academic or historical subjects, Toulouse-Lautrec consistently utilized the accessible medium of prints to reflect the volatile political and social atmosphere of modern 1896 Paris. This work is part of a dedicated series detailing the stages of the trial, underscoring the artist's dedication to sequential narrative within his graphic output. The powerful contrast and dynamic composition make this an iconic representation of French society during a period of upheaval. This particular impression of The Arton Trial (Procès Arton), third plate is housed in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ensuring its continued accessibility for scholarship and appreciation of this crucial piece of Toulouse-Lautrec’s oeuvre.