The Arton Trial (third plate)

The Arton Trial (third plate) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) is a significant work from 1896, demonstrating the artist’s mastery of visual reportage and the graphic arts. This piece, classified as a print, is a lithograph meticulously rendered on tan wove paper and subsequently laid down on cream wove Japan tissue, a technique highlighting the careful presentation often associated with Lautrec’s print editions. As a dedicated chronicler of Parisian life, the artist frequently turned his attention to the highly publicized social and legal events of his era.

The subject focuses intently on the atmosphere and key figures involved in the notorious Arton Trial, a high-profile legal scandal that captivated fin-de-siècle France. The spontaneous, journalistic style captured through the lithographic process allowed Lautrec to publish these visual reports quickly, blurring the line between fine art and contemporary illustration. The print format provided a democratic means of circulation, cementing the artist's reputation as a key figure in late 19th-century French culture. This unique impression showcases the dynamic energy and visual acuity that defined the artist’s output during this period.

The variations within the entire The Arton Trial series demonstrate Lautrec's inventive approach to the technical possibilities of printmaking. Today, this work is held in the renowned collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering essential insight into the intersection of media coverage, social satire, and graphic innovation at the turn of the century. As a major work by this important figure, the artwork, which may be available through public domain initiatives, remains a vital reference for the study of the influential career of Lautrec.