Artwork
Cover for "L'estampe originale" (Couverture de "L'estampe originale")

Cover for "L'estampe originale" (Couverture de "L'estampe originale") is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1893 lithograph, titled Cover for 'L'estampe originale', is a six-color print with an olive-green key stone, created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It measures the artistic and technical skill of the artist through its composition and color usage.
Subject & Meaning
The contrast between her fashionable attire and his focused work underscores the intersection of art, fashion, and craftsmanship in late 19th-century Paris.
The print depicts a scene of creative industry: a woman in a vibrant pink coat and feathered black hat stands beside a table where a man, dressed in a white shirt and dark pants, intently operates a printing press. The woman holds a piece of paper, possibly a proof or design. The contrast between her fashionable attire and his focused work underscores the intersection of art, fashion, and craftsmanship in late 19th-century Paris.
Technique & Style
Executed in six colors with an olive-green key stone, this lithograph showcases Toulouse-Lautrec's mastery of the medium. The bold, flat areas of color, particularly the vibrant pink of the woman's coat, are characteristic of his Post-Impressionist style, emphasizing clarity and modernity.
History & Provenance
Created in 1893 for the cover of *L'estampe originale*, this work reflects Toulouse-Lautrec's involvement with Paris's bohemian and artistic circles. The specific provenance and ownership history of this particular print are not detailed here.
Context
This piece embodies the artistic and cultural milieu of fin-de-siècle Paris, where Toulouse-Lautrec, despite his aristocratic background, found inspiration in the city's theatrical, bohemian, and working-class environments. The printing press, a central element, symbolizes the era's appreciation for the craft of printmaking.
Legacy
As a cover for *L'estampe originale*, this lithograph not only promoted the journal but also represented Toulouse-Lautrec's contribution to the revival of interest in printmaking as an original art form during the late 19th century. It remains a notable example of his ability to capture the essence of Parisian life and artistic processes.
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.



















