The Milliner (La Modiste - Renée Vert)

The Milliner (La Modiste - Renée Vert) is a characteristic lithograph in green created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. This piece exemplifies the technical mastery achieved by the artist in the field of prints during the dynamic Fin de siècle era, specifically spanning the period 1876 to 1900. As a key figure in French post-Impressionism, Toulouse-Lautrec dedicated much of his output to capturing the often-unromanticized characters of Parisian daily life, transitioning seamlessly between painting and graphic arts.

The subject of the print is Renée Vert, one of the many working women who comprised the vibrant social fabric observed by Toulouse-Lautrec. Milliners were significant figures in late 19th-century Parisian culture, representing both the world of high fashion and the rapidly changing commercial landscape. The technique of using a singular, monochromatic green for the lithograph imbues the portrait with an intimacy and a graphic directness characteristic of the artist's mature style. Toulouse-Lautrec expertly uses the nuanced variations possible in the printing process to achieve delicate shading and texture, focusing the viewer’s attention on the subject's reflective expression and posture rather than on elaborate setting or color.

The creation of this work aligns with the peak of the French poster and print revival, where artists prioritized accessible, widely distributable art forms. This important print, which provides an unvarnished glimpse into the working world of Paris, is held in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its historical significance and the artist’s reputation, reproductions of Toulouse-Lautrec’s influential works, such as The Milliner, are often cataloged and made available within public domain art collections worldwide, ensuring the enduring study of the artist’s profound contributions to modern graphic design.