Wounded Eros (Eros vanné)

Wounded Eros (Eros vanné) is a seminal print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1894. Executed as a lithograph in black on velin paper, this artwork showcases the artist's sophisticated mastery of graphic media during the late 19th century. The creation of this work falls squarely within the flourishing French art scene of the period 1876 to 1900, when lithography became a key vehicle for artistic expression, transitioning beyond mere commercial reproduction into the respected realm of fine art prints.

In this portrayal of the mythical Greek god of desire, Toulouse-Lautrec offers a modern, perhaps cynical, interpretation of classical allegory. While Eros is traditionally depicted as youthful and victorious, the title Eros vanné suggests exhaustion or defeat, aligning with the fin-de-siècle preoccupation with decadence and disillusionment prevalent in Paris. The subject matter is stripped of idealized beauty and treated with a raw, graphic immediacy characteristic of the artist's vision. The monochromatic medium allows Toulouse-Lautrec to emphasize bold contours and dramatic contrasts, highlighting the expressive power achievable through simple black ink. This approach separates the print from his more famous color posters, demonstrating his versatility as a graphic artist dedicated to capturing the human condition of his era.

As a foundational figure in post-impressionist printmaking, Toulouse-Lautrec heavily influenced the visual culture of the era. The widespread production of such prints made his often-challenging art accessible to a broader audience than traditional oil paintings allowed. This particular impression of Wounded Eros is held in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., confirming its status as a significant example of French graphic arts from the close of the 19th century. Due to the age and historical significance of many of the artist’s works, high-quality images of his historic prints are increasingly available for study and enjoyment through public domain initiatives worldwide.