The Dog and the Parrot

"The Dog and the Parrot," executed by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901 in 1899, is a finely detailed lithograph printed on cream wove paper. This late work showcases Lautrec's masterful proficiency in printmaking, a medium through which he captured the complex, often unseen life of fin-de-siècle Paris. As a key figure in Post-Impressionism, Lautrec was instrumental in elevating the status of the commercial print, transforming graphic designs and posters into high art accessible to a broader audience.

The technique used, lithography, allowed Lautrec to achieve subtle gradations and sophisticated textural effects that lend intimacy to the subject matter. Although the precise narrative of The Dog and the Parrot remains understated, its depiction of an interior or domestic moment aligns with Lautrec's broader artistic interests in the candid character study. His unflinching style defined the visual record of turn-of-the-century France, employing expressive, dynamic lines and striking compositions to convey psychological depth. Lautrec frequently utilized animals, such as the dog and the parrot featured here, as symbolic companions, adding layers of complexity to his human subjects.

This exceptional example of French graphic arts is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a crucial contributor to the development of modern prints, Lautrec’s legacy as a draftsman and observer endures. Due to the period of its creation and the artist’s passing date (1901), many of his highly influential prints are now considered part of the public domain, allowing continued study and appreciation of his profound vision of France.