Yvette Guilbert Singing

Yvette Guilbert Singing is a drawing created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French, 1864-1901, in 1894. This striking sketch captures the famed cabaret performer Yvette Guilbert, known for her distinctive black gloves and dramatic stage presence. Executed primarily in graphite, the work utilizes careful smudging techniques on pieced ivory wove paper to achieve shadow and depth. The immediacy of the drawing reflects Toulouse-Lautrec’s characteristic preference for capturing subjects in situ, prioritizing movement and expressive line over polished realism.

During the 1890s in France, 1864-1901 became the foremost chronicler of Parisian entertainment. He frequented the cabarets and cafés-concerts, immortalizing figures like Guilbert through rapid sketches and lithographs. This piece serves as a powerful example of how the artist captured the dynamic, fleeting energy of fin-de-siècle nightlife. The classification as a Drawing underscores the work’s function as an intimate study, likely preparatory for a more finished print or poster. Toulouse-Lautrec often depicted Guilbert, relying on her recognizable silhouette to communicate the essence of the Belle Époque era.

The work currently resides in the respected collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a significant example of French post-Impressionist drawing, the piece remains highly studied for its technical mastery and historical insight into Parisian popular culture. For those interested in the graphic output of 1864-1901, high-quality prints and reproductions are sometimes made available through projects dedicated to digitizing public domain cultural assets.