The Box with the Gilded Mask

The Box with the Gilded Mask by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1894, is a sophisticated example of the artist's mastery of printmaking. Classified as a print, this complex work was executed using crayon, brush, and spatter lithography, enhanced with scraper techniques. Printed in five colors on imitation japan paper, the specialized process highlights Lautrec's innovative approach to graphic arts, pushing the boundaries of the then-emerging medium of color lithography. The specific combination of techniques used results in a rich textural quality unique to Toulouse-Lautrec's later prints.

Toulouse-Lautrec was deeply engaged in documenting the vibrant, often anonymous, social life of fin-de-siècle Paris, particularly focusing on the world of the Theatre and the music halls. This piece captures an intimate scene from a theatre box, focusing attention on the Women observers or performers who populated these public yet enclosed spaces. The composition uses stark contrasts of color and tone, with the subject’s face partially obscured. The title’s reference to the 'gilded mask' potentially refers to the pretense and controlled presentation inherent in both high society viewing and theatrical performance. The dramatic use of shadow and light, typical of the artist’s style, emphasizes the atmosphere of intrigue and isolation within the confined space.

As a leading figure in post-Impressionist graphic arts, Toulouse-Lautrec’s influential prints provided immediate visual documentation of the social environment of the late nineteenth century. This particular lithograph is noted as the only state for this composition, making it a key example of the artist's prolific output in printmaking. This historically significant work resides within the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a vital record of French fin-de-siècle prints and graphic representations of the modern Women of Paris.