The influential Post-Impressionist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created the lithograph Yvette Guilbert: Dans la glu in 1898. This highly effective print exemplifies Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery of graphic media and his dedication to capturing the raw essence of Parisian nightlife, specifically the celebrity culture of the entertainment districts. The subject, Yvette Guilbert, was a renowned cabaret singer famous for her long black gloves and distinctive, expressive performances.
As a master of the lithographic process, Toulouse-Lautrec utilized the medium to produce immediate, high-impact representations. Although rendered late in his career, this particular piece maintains the energy and satirical edge that defined his earlier poster work. The phrase "Dans la glu," translating roughly to "In the glue," often suggested a sticky, inescapable situation. The composition likely draws on a specific moment from Guilbert's act or offers a critical observation on the demanding, entrapping nature of public performance in fin-de-siècle France.
The work is classified as a print, reflecting the artist's crucial role in elevating graphic art forms. The demand for accessible fine art meant that many of Toulouse-Lautrec's designs, including images featuring Yvette Guilbert, entered broader circulation. This original is held securely by the Cleveland Museum of Art, serving as a vital record of Parisian culture at the turn of the century. Reflecting the importance of such historical documentation, many quality reproductions of the artist’s groundbreaking prints are now widely accessible as public domain resources.
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