Yvette Guilbert

Yvette Guilbert is a pivotal 1894 color lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, capturing the iconic French cabaret singer and actress who defined Parisian entertainment at the fin-de-siècle. This print, executed using color lithography with letterpress on ivory laid paper, is a prime example of the innovative printmaking techniques that allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to translate his expressive style into widely accessible formats. As a key document of France's vibrant culture during this period, the work showcases the artist’s celebrated skill in portraiture and graphic design.

Toulouse-Lautrec was renowned for his ability to distill the essence of his subjects with minimal line and highly suggestive color palettes. In depicting Guilbert, he deliberately accentuated her signature attributes, focusing on her distinctive silhouette, her elongated figure, and the famous long black gloves she always wore. The lithographic process facilitated the bold, flat areas of color and dynamic compositions characteristic of the era’s poster art, merging fine art sensibilities with commercial graphic design, solidifying the artist's role in the history of modern prints.

As a significant figure documenting the entertainment scene of late nineteenth-century France, Toulouse-Lautrec’s body of work remains essential for understanding post-Impressionist graphic arts. The widespread appeal and historical importance of prints such as this have placed many of the artist's most celebrated images, including Yvette Guilbert, into the public domain, ensuring their continued study and appreciation globally. This foundational piece of French cultural history is currently housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, representing a central component of the museum's holdings of works from 1864-1901.