The Three Wise Men

The Three Wise Men by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, is a masterful example of French printmaking from the fin-de-siècle era. Created in 1895, this classification as a color lithograph on cream wove paper showcases the technical sophistication Lautrec brought to the reproductive arts. During the 1890s, the medium of lithography was undergoing a revolution in France, shifting from purely commercial application to a vital vehicle for modern artistic expression, a transformation heavily influenced by artists like Lautrec.

This work exemplifies the characteristics that defined his graphic output: strong, simplified contours, and the strategic deployment of flat fields of color enabled by the chromolithographic process. Although Toulouse-Lautrec is best known for his depictions of Parisian cabaret and theater life, The Three Wise Men demonstrates the scope of his subject matter, often treating traditional themes with contemporary interpretation or satirical wit.

Lautrec, 1864-1901, utilized the wove paper texture to subtly soften the intensity of the colors, achieving a visual effect that distinguished his fine art prints from purely commercial posters. His command over the printing process solidified his legacy not merely as a painter, but as one of the great printmakers of the era. This significant work, dating to 1895, is preserved in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering crucial insight into the graphic arts culture of late nineteenth-century France.