Yvette Guilbert 1894

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created this lithograph of Yvette Guilbert, a famous cabaret singer, using a grease-based crayon on a block of Bavarian limestone. The lithographic process allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to achieve a directness and immediacy in his prints. He drew directly onto the stone, exploiting the material's inherent qualities to produce a range of tonal effects and textures, from the delicate lines defining Guilbert’s figure, to the solid blacks of her gloves. Consider the social context: lithography was a relatively new and rapidly evolving printmaking technique in the late 19th century. It democratized image production, making art more accessible to a wider audience through posters and illustrations. This print, originally published in a theatrical publication, speaks to the rise of mass culture and the commercialization of art. By embracing the lithographic process, Toulouse-Lautrec blurred the lines between fine art and commercial illustration, elevating printmaking to new artistic heights.