Yvette Guilbert

Yvette Guilbert by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1894, is a defining example of fin-de-siècle portraiture rendered through the medium of lithography. This powerful print captures the renowned Parisian cabaret star and chanteuse Yvette Guilbert, who was instantly recognizable by her distinctive tall, black gloves and expressive, often dramatic performances in Montmartre’s entertainment venues. Toulouse-Lautrec, a master observer of modern life, focused intensely on capturing the psychological essence and immediate, recognizable silhouette of his subjects rather than presenting idealized representations.

The artist created a substantial series of works dedicated to Guilbert, often depicting her in dynamic poses characterized by flat fields of color and bold, economical lines influenced by Japanese woodblock prints. The reliance on lithography allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to distribute his artistic vision widely, bringing fine art techniques into the sphere of popular media like illustrated programs and posters. His dedication to capturing famous women performers of the era—such as Guilbert—highlights the vibrancy and rapidly changing nature of contemporary urban entertainment and the rise of celebrity culture.

This piece, classified among the extensive holdings of prints and drawings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the immediacy and visual energy characteristic of the period. Yvette Guilbert solidifies its place as one of the most essential prints in Toulouse-Lautrec’s oeuvre. As a significant historical example of printmaking from the 1890s, high-resolution versions of this work are frequently accessible for study and reference through resources utilizing public domain art collections.