Anna Held dans 'Toutes ces Dames au Théâtre'. Anna Held, the Actress, performing the Song 'All these Ladies of the Theatre' by Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec, 1864-1901

Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec, 1864-1901
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Anna Held dans 'Toutes ces Dames au Théâtre'. Anna Held, the Actress, performing the Song 'All these Ladies of the Theatre'

Original lithograph in black ink. 1894. Signed with Lautrec's monogram in the stone. From the original edition issued as a supplement for the 'Revue Blanche', January 1895. Commissioned by Natanson for the Revue Blanche. Printed at the studio of Ancourt, 1895. With the lithograph 'Footit et Chocolat' (W.87) and the text on the reverse, as issued. Rare. Ref: Wittrock - T-Lautrec Prints no 88.

Very fine strong impression. On cream/beige light wove paper. Generally excellent condition (The impressions of this work were printed onto rather poor quality paper which is delicate. This sheet has had two short edge nicks expertly repaired to conserve it, but in general is in
exceptionally good condition). The full sheet. Drawn to full sheet size. Sheet: 13 3/4 x 9 3/4ins (347x246mm)

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?Le Photographe? (above left) is a marvellously drawn and witty composition is also an important illustration of the use of domestic photography in the late 19th century. It was posed for Lautrec, but it is significant of the way in which the idea of taking photographs was becoming a part of the ?holiday idea?, a development which was to have an important influence on themes for paintings.

The companion piece, above , is a study of the highly successful Polish-born music hall singer Anna Held in a characteristic role as a pouting overgrown child. She made her reputation with such witty songs which were enormously popular. Lautrec saw her act frequently.

Both the study of Le Photographe and Anna Held were drawn by Lautrec in 1894 for a project which was his own idea. This was to be a supplement of original prints and texts by leading writers and critics to be issued along with the Revue Blanche, the literary and artistic review published by Lautrec?s friend Thadée Natanson. The supplement was to be entitled ?Nib? - a slang expression meaning ? Nothing Much?. Unfortunately it only achieved three issues before collapsing through lack of money. The two lithographs above form the whole of the first supplement, with the text of a political-critical report by Tristan Bernard on the reverse of ?Le Photographe? and the further lithograph ?Footit et Chocolat? (W.87) - a study of the two clowns in a performance at the Nouveau Cirque - on the reverse of Anna Held. Although the intended original edition was 2000 impressions very few examples seem to have survived and they are now very rare.