The Hairdresser - Program for the Theatre-Libre (Le coiffeur - Programme du Théatre-Libre) is a lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. This print, executed in green-black, yellow, and red inks, exemplifies the artist’s mastery of color lithography and his keen eye for documenting the private worlds of fin-de-siècle Paris. Dating from the crucial period of 1876 to 1900, the work functioned as an advertisement and program cover for the Théâtre-Libre, the avant-garde venue run by André Antoine.
Toulouse-Lautrec immersed himself in the bohemian and cultural scenes of French nightlife, documenting dance halls, theaters, and intimate service settings with unflinching observation. This piece captures the quiet intensity of an indoor scene involving a client and a hairdresser, characterized by bold, simplified lines and a restricted palette. The composition reflects the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which were highly fashionable among Parisian artists for their flatness, asymmetrical cropping, and dramatic use of negative space.
The selection of the lithograph medium was integral to the work’s function, allowing for the widespread dissemination required of a theatrical program while retaining the spontaneity and graphic power of the artist’s hand. Toulouse-Lautrec was instrumental in elevating commercial printmaking to the status of high art, utilizing the poster format to define the visual identity of modern French entertainment. The resulting print showcases his ability to convey character and atmosphere using minimal detail. This important example of late 19th century graphic art is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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