Who painted Une Faillite; Le Poète et le financier?

Une Faillite; Le Poète et le financier was painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893.

Where can I see Une Faillite; Le Poète et le financier?

Une Faillite; Le Poète et le financier is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Une Faillite; Le Poète et le financier?

Une Faillite; Le Poète et le financier is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Une Faillite; Le Poète et le financier

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec , 1893

Une Faillite; Le Poète et le financier 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.

About this work

Overview

Une Faillite; Le Poète et le financier is a 3-color lithograph on wove paper created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. The work depicts a poignant scene of two men engaged in a financial transaction, set against a stark, simply furnished room.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows a poet and a financier seated across from each other, with the financier holding cash and the poet staring at an empty wallet. The contrast between their expressions—a smug poet and a trapped financier—suggests a commentary on unethical financial dealings, with the artist critiquing the greed of financiers.

Technique & Style

Characterized by Toulouse-Lautrec’s bold and graphic style, the lithograph demonstrates the artist’s mastery of the medium. The use of three colors achieves a striking visual effect, and the simplicity of the room’s decor underscores the focus on the transaction and the characters’ emotions.

History & Provenance

Part of a series focusing on the greed of financiers, *Une Faillite* reflects Toulouse-Lautrec’s interest in contemporary urban themes. Created in 1893, it is emblematic of his contributions to late 19th-century Parisian artistic circles.

Context

Reflecting Toulouse-Lautrec’s observations of Parisian urban life, the print is part of a broader body of work that includes depictions of cabarets and social interactions, offering insight into the social dynamics of the time.

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.