The Secret (Le secret) from Quatorze lithographies originales (Mélodies de Désiré Dihau)

The lithograph The Secret (Le secret) from Quatorze lithographies originales (Mélodies de Désiré Dihau) was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1895. This seminal French print forms a component of an intended Illustrated Book portfolio, showcasing Toulouse-Lautrec’s profound understanding of the graphic arts. The series, though drawn and prepared in 1895, was ultimately published posthumously in 1935, cementing its place as a crucial late-career printmaking endeavor.

Toulouse-Lautrec utilized the technical capabilities of the lithograph to achieve the immediacy and textural richness characteristic of his finest work. This piece, executed with fluid lines, controlled shading, and a characteristic emphasis on contour, captures the ephemeral atmosphere often associated with the intimate dramas of Parisian life, a subject central to the artist's œuvre. As a master of poster art and graphic media, Toulouse-Lautrec employed the inherent flatness of the print medium effectively, prioritizing composition and psychological detail over strict realism, thus transforming simple illustration into a powerful, evocative scene.

Dating from the zenith of the fin-de-siècle aesthetic, this work provides valuable insight into French cultural history and the shift toward modern graphic representation at the turn of the century. Although conceived as an exclusive, intimate set of Quatorze lithographies originales, the nature of the medium ensured that prints, such as this one, would influence subsequent generations of artists. This impression of The Secret resides within the prestigious collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), recognizing its dual significance as a key example of Toulouse-Lautrec’s printmaking and its status as an important contribution to the tradition of the Illustrated Book. The enduring influence of this work ensures that high-quality art prints and reference materials are widely accessible today.