The Arton Trial, Ribot Giving Evidence (second plate)

The Arton Trial, Ribot Giving Evidence (second plate) is a crucial print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1896. This work, a lithograph printed on tan wove paper, captures a moment of high drama and political tension characteristic of fin-de-siècle France. Lautrec, known for his incisive observation and dynamic compositions, utilized the immediacy of the print medium to document contemporary events and prominent personalities of the time.

The subject directly references the aftermath of the infamous Panama Scandal, often referred to as the Arton Trial, which involved widespread financial corruption that destabilized France during the Third Republic. In this image, Lautrec focuses on the testimony provided by former Premier Alexandre Ribot, whose association with the affair was highly scrutinized. The quick, sketch-like execution and stark contrasts common in the artist’s prints underscore the tense and chaotic atmosphere of the courtroom proceedings. This piece belongs to a series of lithographs documenting the Parisian social and political scene, proving Lautrec's skill not only as an artist but as a visual commentator on life in late 19th-century France.

As a significant example of French graphic art, the work reveals Lautrec's genius for caricature and candid portraiture. Today, this iconic print resides within the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The detailed record of the work ensures its continued study, and high-resolution images of prints like this are frequently made available to researchers and the public domain, preserving this vital piece of cultural documentation.