Yvette Guilbert is a significant lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1894. This piece, classified within a larger Portfolio, captures the essence of Parisian nightlife during the late 19th century, a time of profound artistic and social transition in French culture. Toulouse-Lautrec utilized the medium of lithography, printing this specific version in a distinctive olive green hue. This graphic technique allowed the artist to capture the immediacy and caricature-like quality of his subjects, distinguishing his contribution within the period spanning 1876 to 1900.
The subject of the print is Yvette Guilbert, the iconic cabaret star renowned for her expressive stage performances and her signature style, particularly the use of long black gloves. Toulouse-Lautrec frequently focused his attention on the entertainment venues and societal periphery of Montmartre, observing performers and patrons with an objective, yet highly individualized eye. His approach to portraiture avoids idealization, instead emphasizing posture, gesture, and the dynamic atmosphere of the stage. The artist’s mastery of the reproductive print recognized the power of these formats to democratize art and capture the fleeting, modern moments of urban life, moving art beyond the traditional boundaries of the salon.
As a key example of the artist’s graphic output, this work is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art. The lithograph documents Toulouse-Lautrec’s sophisticated skill in handling color and line on the printing stone, maintaining the vitality of an initial sketch while preparing the image for wider dissemination. Because the artist often worked in multiples, many of his important prints, including studies related to Yvette Guilbert, have become widely available through initiatives focused on promoting access to public domain art. This lithograph remains a critical record of the Belle Époque, confirming Toulouse-Lautrec's enduring legacy as the foremost chronicler of modern French entertainment.
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