The Madman, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau

The Madman, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901 is an expressive lithograph created in 1895. Executed on ivory wove paper, this work exemplifies the artist's keen eye for capturing intense psychological states through the reproductive arts. This specific image was produced as an illustration accompanying the musical compositions of Désiré Dihau, a bassoonist and composer who moved within Toulouse-Lautrec’s Parisian circle. The print medium allowed for an economical yet dramatic rendering, utilizing sharp contrasts and flowing lines characteristic of the artist’s work in the late 19th century in France.

The subject focuses on an emotionally fraught, isolated figure. Unlike many of his more celebratory depictions of cabaret life, Toulouse-Lautrec here offers a stark study of vulnerability or despair. The composition uses the sparse environment to emphasize the figure’s psychological turmoil, a theme that increasingly interested the Post-Impressionist master. Toulouse-Lautrec's genius lay in his ability to communicate complex emotional depth with minimal detail, establishing him as a crucial chronicler of modern urban life and its marginalized residents.

This singular image is a powerful example of how the artist utilized lithography to disseminate his vision. Classified definitively as a print, the work contributes significantly to the history of graphic arts in the period. Today, this important piece is housed within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it showcases the artist's enduring commitment to capturing the full spectrum of human experience.