Yvette Guilbert

Yvette Guilbert is a seminal 1894 lithograph created by the celebrated French post-Impressionist artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). This work exemplifies the artist's mastery of commercial printmaking, executed as a lithograph combined with letterpress on ivory laid paper. As a leading figure in chronicling Parisian nightlife and the emerging world of advertisement, Toulouse-Lautrec frequently utilized the expressive possibilities of lithography, a medium that allowed for broad distribution and immediate visual impact, effectively linking fine art to commercial graphic design.

The subject, the iconic café-concert star Yvette Guilbert, was one of the most recognizable and provocative personalities of fin-de-siècle France. Known for her dramatic delivery, provocative songs, and signature long black gloves, Guilbert served as a favorite muse for Toulouse-Lautrec. His treatment of her figure is highly stylized and reductive, emphasizing her recognizable performance persona rather than conventional realism. The stark lines and minimal color choices characteristic of his prints effectively capture the exaggerated theatricality required for the music halls of the 1890s.

This print is not simply a portrait; it is a vital document of the performance culture flourishing in Paris, highlighting the figures who defined the visual identity of the age. Toulouse-Lautrec's extensive body of graphic work helped establish the lithographic poster as a legitimate art form. Today, this important print resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a cornerstone example of French graphic arts from the late 19th century. Like many historic masterworks of the period, high-quality images of this work are often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring global access to the output of this foundational modernist.