The Secret, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau

The Secret, from Mélodies de Désiré Dihau by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is an important example of the artist’s mastery of the lithographic medium. Created in 1895, this classification print was meticulously executed on cream wove paper. Lautrec often utilized the technical versatility of lithography to capture the intimate, often ephemeral, scenes of Parisian life that defined his artistic practice. As a key figure in post-Impressionist prints, his approach favored bold outlines and simplified compositions, emphasizing psychological depth and implied narrative over detailed academic rendering.

The work belongs to a set of illustrations dedicated to Désiré Dihau, a musician and acquaintance of the artist. Toulouse-Lautrec was renowned for documenting the complex society of fin de siècle Paris in France. He frequently depicted the private moments and coded interactions within the city’s theaters, cafés, and private residences. This piece, The Secret, exemplifies the artist's focus on discreet moments and interpersonal drama. It captures a fleeting, highly personal exchange, inviting the viewer to speculate on the nature of the whispered confidence.

This artwork provides crucial insight into the graphic output of the 1890s, when lithography became a dominant medium for avant-garde artists. Today, reproductions of the work are often available through public domain initiatives, broadening access to Lautrec's significant contribution to the history of modern prints. This exceptional example of graphic art is housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a crucial reference point for the study of French printmaking and the legacy of Toulouse-Lautrec.