The Jockey

The Jockey is a late work by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1899 as a sophisticated color lithograph. Produced just two years before the artist’s untimely death, this print exemplifies the bold and sophisticated use of graphic arts prevalent in fin-de-siècle France. Toulouse-Lautrec was a master of the poster and the lithographic medium, frequently utilizing simplified forms, strong silhouettes, and expansive planes of color to capture movement and atmosphere. His dedication to capturing the contemporary life of Paris, encompassing everything from theatrical performers to sporting events, provided rich subject matter that contrasted sharply with the academic traditions of the era.

The subject matter focuses keenly on the world of horse racing, a theme Toulouse-Lautrec often explored alongside his famous depictions of cabaret dancers. This particular composition emphasizes speed and anticipation, employing dramatic foreshortening and a high horizon line to draw the viewer’s eye immediately toward the action. The careful registration required for a work rendered in color lithograph highlights the artist's skill in harnessing the precision of printmaking to evoke the dynamism inherent in the animals.

The work is considered a definitive example of late 19th-century French graphic arts. Today, high-quality prints such as this are highly sought after by collectors, and many versions of the artist’s prolific output are often encountered in public domain collections worldwide, ensuring the continued accessibility of his vision. This significant piece of graphic art is currently housed in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, providing crucial insight into the final creative period of Toulouse-Lautrec.