Yvette Guilbert-French Series: No. 2

The work Yvette Guilbert-French Series: No. 2 was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1894. This piece is an important example of French graphic arts during the Belle Époque, executed as a black and white lithograph. Classified as part of a "Book," this print was likely intended to be included in an album or published folio documenting the iconic figures of Parisian nightlife, reflecting the growing democratization of art through mass-produced prints.

Toulouse-Lautrec was renowned for his incisive portraits of actors, dancers, and cabaret performers who defined 19th-century Paris. His focus on Yvette Guilbert, the celebrated singer known for her long black gloves, distinctive silhouette, and sardonic stage persona, resulted in numerous compelling images throughout his career. This particular composition captures the performer’s recognizable profile, demonstrating the artist’s mastery of line and simplification of form. The inclusion of this print within a series underscores the importance of Guilbert as a cultural phenomenon in France during the 1890s.

Unlike many academic artists of his time, Toulouse-Lautrec embraced the immediate qualities of the lithographic process, allowing him to produce images with an expressive energy that captured the fleeting moments of the era. As part of a specialized series dedicated to the performer, this piece ensured that both the artist’s work and the image of Guilbert reached a wide audience. The original work resides in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Due to its age and cultural significance, this celebrated example of Toulouse-Lautrec’s influential prints is often available for study through various public domain initiatives.