In the Wings of the Folies-Bergere: Mrs. Lona Barrison with Her Manager and Husband

Created through a photomechanical process, the print reproduces the loose, rapid line work characteristic of Toulouse‑Lautrec’s drawings. The sketch‑like strokes convey movement and spontaneity, while the limited tonal range emphasizes the dim lighting and the intimate, almost clandestine atmosphere of the backstage setting.

The work emerged during Toulouse‑Lautrec’s prolific period documenting Parisian nightlife, particularly the Folies‑Bergère. Though originally produced as a commercial print, it entered museum collections in the early twentieth century, reflecting the artist’s lasting relevance to studies of performance culture.

Toulouse‑Lautrec, born into a French aristocratic family, turned to art after a childhood injury left him physically impaired. His fascination with cabarets, dancers, and the undercurrents of urban leisure informed much of his output, and this print exemplifies his focus on the individuals who animated the city’s nocturnal spectacles.