The Head Salesman at Jourdan and Brown

The Head Salesman at Jourdan and Brown by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a significant example of late 19th-century graphic art. Created in 1897, this sophisticated print was executed using the demanding technique of color lithography on ivory wove paper. Lautrec, who revolutionized poster design and printmaking, utilized this medium to capture the specific energy and social stratification found in the commercial centers of Paris.

As a central figure in French post-Impressionist and Belle Époque art, Lautrec focused heavily on immediate observation, frequently documenting the shifting urban landscape and the specialized commerce of the era. This particular work, dating from the artist’s mature period, likely depicts an actual employee or an archetype associated with the business of Jourdan and Brown. It reflects the growing importance of service industries and specialized retail in the cultural milieu of France, moving beyond the nightlife scenes for which the artist is most famous to offer an intimate, nuanced study of professional life.

The mastery shown in this lithograph is evident in the dynamic, expressive line work and the subtle application of color, characteristic of the artist's powerful graphic output. Works such as this solidified Lautrec’s legacy, influencing future generations of illustrators and graphic designers worldwide. The Head Salesman at Jourdan and Brown remains a vital piece in the renowned collection of 19th-century prints preserved at the Art Institute of Chicago. While the original is protected within the museum, high-resolution documentation of the work is frequently made available through institutional repositories, placing high-quality art images into the public domain for scholarly research and appreciation.