Artwork
La valse des lapins
La valse des lapins is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec’s 1895 lithograph *La valse des lapins* is executed in black ink on a sheet of Japan paper. The work presents a circular troupe of rabbits whose elongated ears spiral as they appear to waltz. The composition is rendered with assertive, uneven lines that give the scene a kinetic, almost improvisational quality.
Subject & Meaning
The dancing rabbits function as a whimsical allegory for the bustling nocturnal life of Paris in the 1890s. By substituting human revelers with the animal motif, Lautrec offers a playful commentary on the cabaret crowds that populated the city’s entertainment venues, hinting at both their exuberance and their fleeting, rhythmic movements.
Technique & Style
Created as a lithograph, the image relies on the directness of black ink applied to a smooth Japan paper surface. Lautrec’s hand‑drawn marks are deliberately rough and unrefined, emphasizing speed and spontaneity. The lack of delicate shading and the prominence of bold contours reflect his preference for a graphic, poster‑like aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Originally designed as a promotional poster for a Parisian cabaret, the print circulated among the venue’s patrons as part of the era’s vibrant advertising culture. Over time it entered museum collections, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it is displayed alongside other works that illustrate Lautrec’s engagement with the city’s theatrical and social milieu.
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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.
