The Jockey (Le jockey)

The Jockey (Le jockey) is a definitive late work by French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1899. This piece, classified as a print, is a significant example of his masterful use of color lithography, executed here on delicate China paper. Notably, this impression is a rare trial proof, providing crucial insight into Toulouse-Lautrec’s meticulous process of developing the final printed image and his experimentation with precise color registration before the publication of the definitive edition.

Produced near the end of the artist’s life, this piece reflects the dynamic visual language that characterized the period spanning 1876 to 1900. Toulouse-Lautrec was instrumental in elevating prints from functional advertisements to high art, embracing the graphic and immediate power of lithography. While he is often known for his unflinching depictions of Parisian cabarets and nightlife, the artist also keenly observed the world of equestrian sport, capturing the speed and energy of the sporting events popular among the Parisian elite. In The Jockey, Toulouse-Lautrec utilizes the distinctive compositional techniques he learned from Japanese woodblock prints, employing sharp, simplified outlines and broad washes of color to isolate the figure and convey the sheer momentum of the race.

This important work demonstrates Toulouse-Lautrec's enduring legacy as a pioneer of modern graphic arts. His sophisticated understanding of reproductive media allowed him to define the aesthetic of late nineteenth-century French culture. The exceptional trial proof of this iconic image is now housed within the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art. As a major example of graphic art from this period, the image remains widely studied today, with many high-quality reproductions having entered the public domain.