Wounded Eros (Eros vanné)

Wounded Eros (Eros vanné) is a powerful lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1894. Executed in black ink on laid paper, this print exemplifies the artist's dedication to graphic arts during the fertile period spanning 1876 to 1900. Toulouse-Lautrec expertly utilized the planar surface of the lithographic stone to achieve the rich blacks and expressive linework characteristic of his mature style, prioritizing quick visual impact over meticulous detail.

The subject, Eros vanné, subtly subverts traditional classical representations of the Greek god of love. Instead of depicting Eros in a moment of youthful vigor, the figure conveys resignation or fatigue, leaning heavily on a low parapet. The use of a classical figure examined through a modern, psychologically complex lens reflects the prevailing fin-de-siècle mood in French society. Although the image is monochromatic, the artist employs deft shading and contour lines to give the figure a sense of three-dimensional form and emotional vulnerability. This approach aligns with Toulouse-Lautrec’s frequent exploration of emotional states within his subjects, challenging idealized aesthetics by presenting mythic figures with human frailty.

The work is a significant example of Toulouse-Lautrec's pioneering contribution to modern prints and poster design. The economical yet vivid execution demonstrates the increasing influence of Japanese woodblock prints on French art during the late nineteenth century. As a vital piece of the period's artistic output, this impression of Wounded Eros (Eros vanné) is preserved within the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it contributes to the institution’s extensive holdings of French masterpieces from the era.