Yvette Guilbert

Yvette Guilbert is a striking 1894 lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901. This highly characteristic work captures the energy and distinct personality of one of the most celebrated cabaret singers of the fin-de-siècle era. Technically classified as a print, the image was executed using lithography enhanced with letterpress on ivory laid paper, showcasing the artist’s mastery of graphic techniques. Lautrec was deeply immersed in the vibrant Parisian entertainment scene, utilizing the widespread availability of prints and posters to document and disseminate images of performers throughout France.

The subject, Yvette Guilbert, was renowned for her dramatic stage presence, expressed through stark, gestural movements and her iconic long black gloves. Lautrec developed a unique professional relationship with Guilbert, resulting in numerous depictions that solidified her visual identity in the public sphere. Unlike conventional portraiture, this piece emphasizes immediate, often satirical observation, characteristic of the artist's immersion in venues like the Moulin Rouge and his rejection of academic idealism. Lautrec’s rapid, expressive line work captures the essence of the performer's theatricality rather than static detail, serving as a vital record of Parisian cultural life in the 1890s.

As a significant example of French graphic art, this lithograph demonstrates Lautrec’s innovative approach to both artistic expression and mass-market imagery. The popularity of the subject and the accessibility of prints made these works influential references for modern art. This impression of Yvette Guilbert is housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a critical document of late 19th-century visual culture. Its preservation in major archives ensures that high-quality digital copies of such influential prints are often available through public domain resources for global scholarly appreciation.