Yvette Guilbert

The color lithograph Yvette Guilbert by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French, 1864-1901, masterfully captures the iconic performer who dominated the Parisian entertainment scene in the 1890s. Executed in 1894, this piece exemplifies the flowering of commercial artistry in France during the fin de siècle. The work was created using color lithography, a technique Toulouse-Lautrec favored for its ability to produce vivid, graphic results suitable for mass distribution. The subsequent application of letterpress text to the ivory laid paper classifies this work as a significant example of period prints, likely serving as a poster or program cover.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s characteristic graphic style utilized expressive lines and acute observation, perfectly suited to depicting Guilbert’s distinctive, often exaggerated, stage persona. The artist routinely chose performers, dancers, and the nightlife of Montmartre as his subjects, documenting a vibrant yet often shadowed cultural world. This particular work reflects the technical advancements in color printing that allowed artists to democratize their output and capture ephemeral cultural moments for a broader audience than traditional painting allowed.

As a vital piece of documentation related to French cultural history, this important print is housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The lasting quality and historical importance of Lautrec’s prints ensure that this work remains essential for scholarly study. Today, similar works by the celebrated artist are frequently made available through high-resolution public domain resources, allowing art historians and enthusiasts worldwide to examine the technical skill and historical context of this 1894 lithograph.