The First Vendor of Jourdan and Brown (Le premier vendeur de Jourdan et Brown)

The First Vendor of Jourdan and Brown (Le premier vendeur de Jourdan et Brown) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a sophisticated example of French printmaking from the close of the 19th century. Dated 1897, this work is executed as a lithograph utilizing a subtle olive green ink. Toulouse-Lautrec created this piece during the prolific period spanning 1876 to 1900, a time characterized by rapid modernization in Parisian life which heavily influenced his subject matter and choice of medium.

Toulouse-Lautrec was renowned for capturing the candid, often unvarnished reality of contemporary Parisian figures, moving beyond the traditional constraints of fine art painting into the dynamic world of commercial and editorial illustration. As a master of the print medium, he utilized the lithograph to achieve fluid lines and strong tonal contrasts, essential qualities for capturing fleeting moments of street life. The subtlety of the olive green palette employed in The First Vendor of Jourdan and Brown suggests a focus on mood and atmosphere rather than high-definition realism. The brevity and directness of the drawing style often seen in his works reflect the powerful influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints that permeated French artistic circles during this era.

This piece offers valuable insight into the commercial and social life that Toulouse-Lautrec documented so thoroughly throughout his career. Unlike his famous large-scale poster designs, this smaller-scale work retains an intimacy, likely intended for a limited artistic portfolio or a collector’s print album. The lithograph stands as a compelling example of the artist's dedication to the graphic arts, classifying it firmly within the late 19th century French print tradition. This singular work is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it continues to serve as an important reference for scholars studying the technical evolution of artistic prints and the socio-cultural documentation provided by Toulouse-Lautrec. Works such as this, produced in limited runs, are highly valued examples of French Post-Impressionist graphic design.