Artwork
Lucien Guitry
Lucien Guitry 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
The artist used a technique called lithography, which lets you draw directly onto a smooth stone before printing.
This sketch shows a man with a mustache and curly hair, drawn in loose, quick lines. His collar is visible, and the paper has a warm, cream color. The drawing looks unfinished, with smudges and uneven shading.
The artist used a technique called lithography, which lets you draw directly onto a smooth stone before printing. This sketch was made in 1896, when artists were experimenting with quick, expressive portraits.
Check out lithography to see how this printing method works.
Overview
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec produced a lithographic portrait titled *Lucien Guitry* in 1896. Executed in black ink on a cream‑toned velin paper, the image captures a gentleman with a moustache and curly hair, rendered with swift, gestural lines that give the work a sketch‑like immediacy.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is the French actor Lucien Guitry, a prominent figure in the theatrical world of the Belle Époque. By focusing on the actor’s facial features and modest attire, Toulouse‑Lautrec emphasizes the personal presence of a cultural insider within the bustling Parisian entertainment scene.
Technique & Style
Created through the lithographic process, the artist drew directly onto a smooth stone surface, allowing the ink to adhere only where the image was intended. The resulting print displays loose, uneven shading and visible smudges, reflecting the period’s interest in rapid, expressive portraiture that captures a momentary impression rather than a polished finish.
History & Provenance
The work emerged during a time when Toulouse‑Lautrec was actively documenting the nightlife and artistic circles of late‑19th‑century Paris. Though originally a modest print, it has been preserved on its original cream velin support, offering insight into the artist’s practice of producing multiple lithographs for both personal and commercial distribution.
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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.
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