Who painted Sick Carnot! (Carnot malade!)?

Sick Carnot! (Carnot malade!) was painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893.

Where can I see Sick Carnot! (Carnot malade!)?

Sick Carnot! (Carnot malade!) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Sick Carnot! (Carnot malade!)?

Sick Carnot! (Carnot malade!) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Sick Carnot! (Carnot malade!)

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec , 1893

Sick Carnot! (Carnot malade!) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec’s 1893 lithograph *Sick Carnot!

About this work

Overview

Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec’s 1893 lithograph *Sick Carnot! (Carnot malade!)* is executed in black ink on a sheet of Japan paper. The work presents a solitary figure in a dark coat seated in a chair, clutching a bowl, while a pig’s head leans over his shoulder as if sniffing the contents. The setting is sparsely furnished, with a table and a lamp suggested in the background.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes a human subject with an animal, inviting a satirical reading. The title references a well‑known public figure, suggesting a caricature that equates the man’s condition with the gluttony traditionally associated with pigs. The uneasy proximity of the animal to the bowl hints at a critique of greed or excess within contemporary society.

Technique & Style

Toulouse‑Lautrec employed rapid, sketch‑like lines that convey immediacy and a sense of urgency. The lithographic process on Japan paper allows for fine, fluid strokes, while the stark black palette emphasizes contrast and draws attention to the interaction between the figure and the pig. The overall effect is deliberately rough, echoing the artist’s penchant for spontaneous drawing.

History & Provenance

Created in the early 1890s, the print belongs to a period when Toulouse‑Lautrec was actively producing lithographs that documented Parisian life.

Created in the early 1890s, the print belongs to a period when Toulouse‑Lautrec was actively producing lithographs that documented Parisian life. The work reflects his interest in the city’s theatrical and social scenes, though this particular image leans toward political satire. Its later ownership has passed through several private collections before entering a museum holding of the artist’s prints.

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.