Artwork
Yvette Guilbert: Chanson Ancienne
Yvette Guilbert: Chanson Ancienne is a print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The lines are loose and quick, like they were drawn fast—her hands and the chair look almost scribbled in.
This sketch shows a woman with a big hat and a bow, sitting sideways. Her face is mostly hidden by the hat’s brim, but you can see her eyes and a faint smile. The lines are loose and quick, like they were drawn fast—her hands and the chair look almost scribbled in.
The artist focused on movement and quick strokes, not perfect details. This style was common in Paris nightlife sketches.
Next, check out Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864–1901) for more sketches like this.
Overview
Yvette Guilbert: Chanson Ancienne is a 1898 print by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, capturing French cabaret singer Yvette Guilbert in a performance setting.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays Yvette Guilbert seated sideways, her face partially obscured by a large hat, with only her eyes and a subtle smile visible. This composition emphasizes the subject's presence in a theatrical context rather than detailed portraiture.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, rapid lines, the print prioritizes conveying movement and spontaneity over precise detail, reflective of Toulouse-Lautrec's approach to depicting Parisian nightlife.
History & Provenance
Created in 1898, the print is part of Toulouse-Lautrec's body of work focusing on late 19th-century Parisian entertainment figures and venues.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
