Yvette Guilbert

Yvette Guilbert is a definitive graphic work created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1894. This striking piece, classified as a lithograph, was executed using a specialized olive green ink, demonstrating Toulouse-Lautrec’s dedication to mastering the technical nuances of printmaking during the late nineteenth century. Often issued as part of a portfolio, the classification emphasizes the systematic documentation of Parisian celebrities undertaken by the artist.

The subject is the celebrated chanson singer and music-hall star Yvette Guilbert, whom Toulouse-Lautrec depicted repeatedly throughout his career. Guilbert was instantly recognizable for her slender figure and signature long black gloves, a stylistic choice that the artist frequently isolated and emphasized to communicate her unique stage presence. Toulouse-Lautrec’s approach to composition relies on concise, expressive lines and silhouette, capturing the intensity and humor of Guilbert’s performances without resorting to extensive detail.

The piece exemplifies the flourishing of graphic art within French culture spanning the period 1876 to 1900. During this time, the development of commercial printing and mass distribution elevated the importance of the poster and the artistic print, positioning Toulouse-Lautrec as the era’s foremost chronicler of bohemian Montmartre life. His focus on the cabaret and theater world reflected the dynamic cultural shifts occurring in Paris, making his work central to understanding the visual culture of the fin de siècle.

This essential example of Toulouse-Lautrec’s lithographic output is housed in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. As a historical artifact documenting the celebrity culture of the 1890s, and due to its age and nature as a print, Yvette Guilbert frequently appears in scholarship and is sometimes made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring that this influential work of graphic art remains accessible for study and appreciation.