Truffier and Moreno, in Les Femmes Savantes

Truffier and Moreno, in Les Femmes Savantes is a definitive example of fin-de-siècle theatrical portraiture, created in 1893 by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901. This lithograph on cream wove paper captures two performers from Molière’s classic comedy, Les Femmes Savantes (The Learned Ladies), reflecting Lautrec’s deep engagement with the vibrant culture of France in the late 19th century. The medium of the lithograph allowed the artist to achieve expressive lines and tonal variations, effectively translating the dramatic lighting and energy of the Parisian stage onto the paper.

Lautrec, a prolific chronicler of contemporary Parisian life, frequently turned his attention from the dance halls and cabarets to the more formal stages, producing numerous intimate portraits of actors and actresses both in character and backstage. In this work, the figures of Truffier and Moreno are rendered with the artist's characteristic economy of line and keen observational skill. The composition emphasizes the contrast between the performers’ elaborate period costumes and the dramatic, simplified background, typical of Lautrec’s prints during this prolific period of his graphic art career.

This exceptional piece demonstrates the power of the print medium in capturing and distributing fleeting performance moments to a wider audience. As the works of this master enter the public domain, they remain highly influential in modern graphic design and theatrical documentation. The piece resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a valuable document of French theatrical history and Lautrec’s revolutionary approach to the lithograph.