The Trainer

"The Trainer," created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) in 1899, is a compelling example of fin-de-siècle French printmaking and the artist’s characteristic focus on Parisian spectacle. Executed as a color lithograph on cream wove paper, the work showcases Toulouse-Lautrec’s masterful control over the demanding medium. Lithography allowed the artist to move beyond traditional etching, utilizing broad fields of modulated color and fluid, expressive contour lines that defined his signature style.

The late 19th century witnessed a boom in graphic arts, particularly in France, where artists like Toulouse-Lautrec transformed the poster and the print into legitimate artistic forms. Although known primarily for documenting the cabarets and cafés of Montmartre, the subject matter of The Trainer delves into the specific world of equestrian sport and its associated professional culture. The immediacy of the composition reflects the period’s growing fascination with public athletic events and the often-unseen laborers behind the scenes, capturing the essence of the Belle Époque’s vibrant, sometimes gritty, entertainment scene.

Toulouse-Lautrec drew significant influence from Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e), evident in the flattened spatial perspective and the dramatic, asymmetrical cropping typical of this piece. This approach gave his prints a modern sensibility that profoundly influenced subsequent generations of graphic artists. This definitive impression of the work resides within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a primary source for the study of the artist’s final years. As a major print from a celebrated museum collection, this image frequently enters the public domain, ensuring widespread access to the masterworks of Toulouse-Lautrec.