The Chestnut Vendor

The Chestnut Vendor, created in 1897 by the renowned French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901), is an important example of the artist’s late printmaking career. Executed as a lithograph on grayish-ivory wove paper, this work showcases Lautrec’s distinctive command of line and shadow, typical of his mature graphic style. As a master of the poster and the illustrated press, Lautrec utilized the reproductive nature of prints to capture and disseminate powerful images of Parisian society.

Produced during a period of intense artistic focus on urban life in France, this piece diverges slightly from his more famous cabaret scenes. Instead of depicting the dancers and performers of Montmartre, Toulouse-Lautrec focuses on the humble street merchant, capturing an intimate, unsentimental portrait of working-class existence. The print emphasizes the figure’s posture and presence against a minimal background, highlighting the vendor’s role in the bustling environment of 19th-century Paris. The rapid, expressive lines inherent in the lithographic process lend a sense of immediacy and observation to the scene.

This particular print demonstrates Lautrec’s ongoing exploration of human character observed in public spaces. The work remains a significant contribution to fin-de-siècle art, illustrating the mastery Toulouse-Lautrec brought to the medium of the print. Today, this piece is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, a crucial repository for 19th-century graphic arts. High-quality prints of significant artworks by Lautrec are often sought after, with some of his classic French works entering the public domain, allowing broader academic and public access to his influential contributions.