Ambroise Thomas assistant à une répétition de Françoise de Rimini, from Le Rire, No. 66, 8 February 1896 1896

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created this print, Ambroise Thomas assistant à une répétition de Françoise de Rimini, in 1896. It was made using lithography, a printing process that allows for the creation of multiple original images. The medium influences the image’s appearance. The lithographic crayon renders a quality of line similar to drawing, giving the scene an informal, intimate feeling. Toulouse-Lautrec was fascinated by the spectacle of Parisian nightlife and high society, and he made many prints for popular periodicals such as *Le Rire,* where this image appeared. The printmaking process allowed his work to reach a broad audience, beyond the traditional circles of fine art. This image provides a glimpse behind the scenes, revealing the labor and preparation that goes into the production of an opera. It also hints at the social dynamics at play, with figures like Ambroise Thomas, a celebrated composer, overseeing the work of others. Paying attention to materials, processes, and social context allows us to consider how distinctions of class, labor, and taste were made visible through art and design.