The Prayer of the Polish Jews, from Au Pied du Sinaï

The Prayer of the Polish Jews, from Au Pied du Sinaï is a significant color lithograph on cream wove paper created in 1897 by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901). This nuanced work of graphic arts was produced as part of the book Au Pied du Sinaï (At the Foot of Sinai), a collaboration with the Symbolist writer and later French Prime Minister, Georges Clemenceau. Lautrec's sophisticated mastery of the medium is evident in the complex layering of colors and the expressive economy of line, which characterize his late-career printmaking.

The subject matter focuses intimately on a moment of religious devotion. Clemenceau's text explored themes of Jewish life, particularly the Orientalist view of Judaism often filtered through the lens of contemporary Parisian society. Lautrec contributes not romantic spectacle, but a sensitive depiction of figures engaged in prayer, likely Polish Jewish immigrants observed within the charged social environment of fin-de-siècle France, which was then grappling with the divisiveness of the Dreyfus Affair. This piece showcases Lautrec’s unique ability to merge journalistic observation with deep empathy, creating a portrait that stands slightly apart from his more famous works documenting Montmartre nightlife.

As a highly sought-after example of Belle Époque illustration, this print exemplifies the late 19th-century boom in high-quality artistic production intended for commercial publication. The Prayer of the Polish Jews, from Au Pied du Sinaï remains a powerful demonstration of the artist’s versatility and commitment to social portraiture. Today, this crucial work, often studied in conjunction with other prints by the artist, is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Works such as this, available through cultural institutions, inform the public domain understanding of Lautrec’s graphic legacy.