Yvette Guilbert-French Series: No. 11

Yvette Guilbert-French Series: No. 11 by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1894, is a defining example of Post-Impressionist graphic work capturing the vibrancy of fin-de-siècle French culture. This piece was realized as a lithograph, a medium Toulouse-Lautrec mastered, using its unique capabilities to create expressive lines and dramatic tonal contrasts. The work is classified as a "Book" item, indicating it was designed to be part of a published portfolio or album dedicated to the celebrated cabaret performer Yvette Guilbert, underscoring the artist’s commitment to documenting the celebrities of Parisian nightlife.

Toulouse-Lautrec focused intently on portraiture and the capturing of psychological depth in his subjects, moving beyond simple depiction to render the underlying personality and social dynamics of Montmartre. Yvette Guilbert, known for her distinctive high-collared dresses and signature black gloves, was a frequent muse. This particular piece captures her characteristic performance style with an economy of line, prioritizing character over detail. The artist's distinctive style revolutionized poster design and commercial printmaking, elevating the status of popular prints to that of fine art.

As part of the ongoing French Series, this specific lithograph remains an important visual document of 19th-century France and the artist's engagement with the modern world. This original 1894 print is housed within the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The widespread popularity of such masterworks has ensured that high-quality prints of Toulouse-Lautrec’s influential graphic oeuvre are frequently referenced for scholarly study, with many related works entering the public domain.