The Coiffure (Playbill for the Théâtre Libre) is a significant 1893 print by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. This vibrant work, classified as a crayon and brush lithograph, was expertly printed in three colors on imitation japan paper. The technical complexity, evident in its status as the second state of two, highlights Toulouse-Lautrec's dedicated involvement in the printmaking process. Produced as an advertisement for the experimental Théâtre Libre, this piece captures the intimate, often unscripted moments of private life that defined the artist's aesthetic focus during the Belle Époque.
The composition focuses intensely on a private scene of hairdressing, a recurring theme in Toulouse-Lautrec’s oeuvre that allowed him to explore the nuanced relationship between men and women in casual settings. A woman is prominently seated, her posture suggesting relaxation, while a male figure attends carefully to her voluminous hair. The artist employs his characteristic technique of flattened planes and bold outlines, drawing the viewer into this enclosed space. The detailed attention paid to the The Coiffure underscores the importance of hairstyle and appearance in late 19th-century Parisian society. Though no direct mirrors are shown, the composition itself reflects the culture of observation and performance inherent in the theatrical milieu this poster was designed to promote.
As a master of the print medium, Toulouse-Lautrec utilized the lithograph to disseminate his art widely, effectively blurring the lines between commercial design and fine art. This specific work is held in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a powerful historical example of late 19th-century French realism and graphic innovation. The enduring appeal of this masterwork means that high-quality prints and reproductions are frequently made available through institutional collections, sometimes entering the public domain to allow broader access to the artist's inventive use of color and line.
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