Your Mouth

The influential post-Impressionist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created the color lithograph Your Mouth in 1893. This notable print, executed on ivory wove paper, showcases the artist’s mastery of graphic techniques during the height of the Parisian fin-de-siècle culture. Lautrec, a key figure in modern poster design and printmaking, used the complex lithographic process to capture the raw energy and psychological depth of his subjects, often portraying the performers and clientele of Montmartre’s cabarets and cafés.

Produced during a period of intense artistic experimentation, the work reflects the sophisticated handling of color and line typical of Toulouse-Lautrec's mature output. The close cropping and sharp attention to facial features demonstrate the artist’s commitment to naturalistic yet emotionally resonant portraiture. The versatility of the lithography medium was crucial for the artist, allowing for rapid production and broad distribution of his often-scandalous imagery across France, effectively blurring the lines between high art and commercial design.

This impression of Your Mouth is held within the distinguished print collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The technical clarity of the color lithograph emphasizes the vibrant, spontaneous quality that defined Lautrec's distinctive style. As one of the most celebrated printmakers of his era, Toulouse-Lautrec’s influential compositions remain highly studied today. Many of his prints, produced during the explosion of graphic arts in late 19th-century France, are now widely accessible, ensuring his revolutionary documentation of modern Parisian life continues to reach new audiences.