Artwork

Lender Dancing the Bolero in "Chilperic" (Lender dansant le pas du boléro dans "Chilpéric")

Lender Dancing the Bolero in "Chilperic" (Lender dansant le pas du boléro dans "Chilpéric") 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

Lender Dancing the Bolero in 'Chilperic' is a 1895 lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in olive green. The print captures a moment from a performance, showcasing the artist's fascination with the theatrical world.

Subject & Meaning

The image features a dancer in an elaborate costume, with a confident expression and outstretched arms. The lavish attire and dynamic pose convey a sense of luxury and energy, while the blurred background figures suggest a lively performance setting.

Technique & Style

Toulouse-Lautrec employed lithography to produce this print, utilizing the technique's capacity for nuanced tonal expression. The olive green color adds a distinctive texture and atmosphere to the work, characteristic of the artist's innovative approach to printmaking.

Context

Toulouse-Lautrec's work reflects his immersion in late 19th-century Parisian nightlife and entertainment. As a member of the French aristocracy who experienced physical limitations, he found inspiration in the city's cabarets and performance venues, often depicting their vibrant culture in his art.

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.