Yvette Guilbert-French Series: No. 16

The lithograph Yvette Guilbert-French Series: No. 16 by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1894, captures one of the defining figures of Belle Époque Paris. This specific piece, part of a portfolio documenting the celebrated cabaret star Yvette Guilbert, exemplifies the artist's dedication to chronicling modern life. Executed as a lithograph, the technique allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to quickly disseminate his observations through high-quality prints, making his art accessible to a wide public. This classification as 'Book' art indicates its original inclusion within a published volume or album dedicated to the performer.

The work showcases Toulouse-Lautrec’s characteristic style, marked by sharp lines, reductive forms, and a focus on essential gesture rather than detailed realism. Guilbert, known for her distinctive silhouette and long black gloves, became a key muse for the artist, embodying the energy and sometimes grotesque glamour of Parisian performance culture in France. The visual brevity employed by Toulouse-Lautrec was heavily influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e prints and allowed him to capture the dynamic movement and singular personality of the entertainer effectively.

Although dealing with a famous personality, the image avoids idealization, presenting a penetrating psychological study of the performer’s essence. This significant example of late 19th-century French graphic arts is securely housed in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The lithographs derived from the Yvette Guilbert series remain crucial documents of Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery of the reproductive print medium.