Artwork

Les Vieilles histoires: Sagesse

Les Vieilles histoires:  Sagesse, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1893
Les Vieilles histoires:  Sagesse, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1893

Les Vieilles histoires: Sagesse is a print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Les Vieilles histoires: Sagesse is a 1893 print by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a French artist known for his work in various mediums. The print is part of a series capturing candid moments, often featuring figures from Paris' social margins.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a corpulent man in a tuxedo on a couch, holding a small glass, accompanied by a dog. The title 'Old Stories: Wisdom' and associated text referencing a piano piece by Goudezki suggest a connection to music or performance.

Technique & Style

Toulouse-Lautrec's characteristic bold and flat drawing style is evident, with thick black lines defining the composition. The simplicity of the background and lack of shading emphasize the figures and text.

History & Provenance

Toulouse-Lautrec, born in 1864 to an aristocratic family, experienced physical challenges that influenced his artistic focus on the Parisian social scene. The print is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Artist

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Comte Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Montfa (24 November 1864 – 9 September 1901), known as Toulouse-Lautrec (French: ), was a French painter, printmaker, draughtsman, caricaturist, and illustrator.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.