PSfineart: Quality Fine Art/Limited Editions/Prints/Originals/Virtual Gallery

Lautrec, Henri de Toulouse: 1864-1901 (France)

The Artist:

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa, an aristocrat by birth was born in Albi in 1864. He broke both legs when he was a child, which left him permanently deformed. After a life of enormous productivity and extreme debauchery in Paris, he suffered a complete mental and physical collapse and died at the age of thirty seven.

A painter and lithographer, Lautrec is best known for his studies of music halls, circuses, and the low-life of Paris. His art shows the influence of Degas and the Japanese prints but has a biting, satiric quality quite its own. Lautrec was prolific as a painter, poster artist, and illustrator.

In the 1890's Lautrec captivated Paris with his striking poster designs. His bold handling of compositions, particularly in posters, in which the subject often appeared in three-quarter profile, created an entirely new sense of dimension and depth, from the work of his predecessors. Color and line are dynamic; and his studies in motion seize the most characteristic movement of the moment. Posters such as the Moulin Rouge, and characterizations of Jane Avril, Yvette Guilbert, and Ariside Bruant have become world known. Toulouse-Lautrec is represented in most major museums in France and the United States.

The Art:

In the late 19^th century the posters of Toulouse-Lautrec were created for advertising purposes. Printed on thin fragile paper, they were pasted on walls, fences, and the well known French kiosks, comparable to our American billboards. Announcements were often pasted on top of each other. It is amazing that some original examples, in fair, and sometimes mint condition, still survive. When first prized, these posters sold for $50. Today the same posters sell for many thousands of dollars.

Lautrec158T

Toulouse-Lautrec. Poster Classics. Generally master art works, such as the Toulouse-Lautrec posters shown in this composite, are photomechanically reproduced in unlimited quantity to make the art they copy available to large audiences. The poster recreations in this composite, displayed below, are different. They are limited edition lithographs, drawn by a chromist, on zinc plates and lithographic stones. Although not the original posters of the late 19th Century, these are the only Lautrec poster images authenticated by the Lautrec Museum in Albi France. These perfect replicas, slightly reduced in dimensions from the original posters, have accurate and vibrant color and drawing true to the images created by Lautrec. Each piece is printed on Rives BFK 100% rag paper and bears the seal, or cachet, of the Museum. Respected as original fine quality authenticated lithograph posters, these images represent the best art produced in the period. Close-Up

Lautrec159

Toulouse-Lautrec. Divan Japonais. Lithograph. Limited Edition 1895 Replica Poster. The paper size is 31"x 34". This piece was acquired in 1985. Originally executed in 1893, this poster was designed to accompany the opening of a cafe concert (The Divan Japonais) in the rue des Martyrs. The print depicts Jane Avril, a model, seated at the edge of the orchestra pit which was used as the bar. She is made up in the Japonais fashion, her face thick with pancake makeup. The chanteuse, whose head has been left out of the picture, is Yvette Guilbert, identifiable by the long black gloves, a standard part of her costume. Despite the success of the poster, which some consider one of Lautrec's most successful, the cafe-concert closed shortly after it opened. Color is brilliant and the texture of the piece is lush. For more information on this recreation please see the paragraphs above. The artwork, full surface and texture, is in pristine condition. Close-Up

$ 450.

Lautrec163

Toulouse-de Lautrec. May Belfort. Lithograph. Limited Edition 1895 Replica Poster. The paper size is 31" x 23 1/2" . This piece was acquired in 1985. Lautrec was fascinated with the ladies of the stage. However, few posters, if any, rival the brilliance of those of May Belfort. In this poster Belfort, a Montmartre chanteuse, is holding a small black kitten whose bright eyes stare out over the footlights into the audience. This cat also appears in a series of four other prints executed by Lautrec. This kitten was to Belfort what long black gloves were to others stars, such as Lautrec's favorite Yvette Guilbert. Color is brilliant, and the texture of the piece is lush. For more information on this recreation please see the paragraphs above. The artwork, full surface and texture, is in pristine condition. Close-Up

$ 385.

Lautrec162

Toulouse-de Lautrec. La Revue Blanche. Lithograph. Limited Edition 1895 Replica Poster. The paper size is 37" x 27 1/2" . This piece was acquired in 1985. Originally executed in 1895, this work reflects Bonnard's influence on Lautrec's sense of graphic design. The figure is strongly reminiscent of Bonnard's La Petite Blanchissuese and Femme au Parpluie. The figure in this poster is Missia, wife of one of the directors of La Revue Blanche. Color is brilliant and the texture of the piece is lush. For more information on this recreation please see the paragraphs above. The artwork, full surface and texture, is in pristine condition. Close-Up

$450.

Contact us to see other available Lautrec Museum de Albi certified replicas including: Elles, Jane Avril, La Chain Simpson, May Milton, Salon De Cent, and Troupe De Mille. Eglantine.