The Explorer

"The Explorer" is a late-career print by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, executed in 1898. This intimate work is classified as a drypoint, a demanding intaglio technique where the artist uses a sharp point directly on a zinc plate to raise a burr, resulting in a characteristically soft, velvety line in the resulting impression. The composition was printed in black ink upon cream laid Japanese paper, a choice that enhances the delicate rendering and contrasts sharply with the bold lithographs often associated with the artist.

Lautrec was central to the artistic milieu of fin-de-siècle Paris, particularly known for his unflinching portrayals of modern life, though this particular piece suggests a more personal or perhaps symbolic subject. While he is most famous for his large color posters advertising Parisian nightlife, Lautrec produced a significant body of smaller, nuanced black-and-white prints and drawings throughout his career. This piece, created just three years before the artist's death in 1901, demonstrates his continued dedication to graphic arts methods outside of commercial advertising.

The detailed craftsmanship evident in The Explorer confirms Toulouse-Lautrec's legacy as a master printmaker in France. This important work contributes to the comprehensive collection of French prints held by the Art Institute of Chicago. As a crucial example of late nineteenth-century drypoint technique, the work is highly valued by scholars and collectors. Due to the artwork’s age and historical significance, many high-resolution prints and studies related to this period are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing for broader engagement with Lautrec’s contribution to modern graphic arts.