Artwork

Lender and Lavalliere in "Le fils de l'Aretin" (Lender et Lavallière dans "Le fils de l'Arétin")

Lender and Lavalliere in "Le fils de l'Aretin" (Lender et Lavallière dans "Le fils de l'Arétin") is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s 1896 lithograph captures a moment from the theatrical production *Le fils de l’Aretin*. The print presents two actresses, identified as Lender and Lavalliere, positioned centrally on the stage. Their dark, richly detailed costumes dominate the composition, while the limited tonal range creates a focused, dramatic atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work records a specific performance, highlighting the presence of Lender, shown in profile, and Lavalliere, facing the viewer, both embodying the theatrical flair of late‑19th‑century Paris. Their poised stances and elaborate attire reflect the era’s penchant for spectacle and the cultural importance of the stage as a social arena.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on a restrained palette of deep blacks and subtle gradations of gray. Toulouse‑Lautrec employs careful line work to delineate the costumes and facial features, while the interplay of light and shadow intensifies the sense of depth, characteristic of his printmaking approach to nightlife scenes.

History & Provenance

Created in 1896, the print emerged during a prolific period when Toulouse‑Lautrec was documenting Parisian entertainment venues. Though originally produced for promotional or collector purposes, the lithograph now resides in museum collections that focus on the artist’s oeuvre and the visual history of French theater.

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Artist & collection

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.