Mademoiselle Lender et Baron. by Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec, 1864-1901

Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec, 1864-1901
Scroll down for information.
Click here to return to the list.

Mademoiselle Lender et Baron.

Original lithograph in black ink. 1893. Signed with the red monogram stamp. Numbered 90 in pencil from the edition. Also with the monogram in the stone. From the edition of 50
impressions in black ink - there were also 50 in olive green ink; total edition 100. Drawn & printed at Ancourt's Studio, Paris 1893. Issued by L'Esacaramouche 1893.
Ref: Wittrock - T-Lautrec Prints no 33. Adriani T-Lautrec 48.

Superb impression in rich black ink. On pale cream smooth wove paper. Excellent condition. Full margins. Sheet: 14 7/8x11ins. Image overall: 12 5/8 x 9 1/4ins (320x235mm).

This item is sold.
Click here to enquire about this item.

?Mlle Lender et Baron? is an outstanding masterwork in Lautrec?s oeuvre in monochrome lithography.

In this study Toulouse-Lautrec displays all the real brilliance of drawing and inspirational technique which he had achieved in his lithography by the early 1880?s. Not only is each stroke and curl of the line used to extraordinary descriptive effect but at the same time the most subtle variations in the handling of the medium are used to heighten the atmospheric effect of the image - contrasts of line density, around Lender?s eyes for example, the line strength in the contour of Baron?s silhouette, the touches of brushwork in Lender?s head-dress, or the spatter used to suggest the shadowy background.

In 1893 Lautrec was invited by the small publisher Georges Darien to draw a series of twelve lithographs for a proposed satirical review entitled ?l?Escaramouche - The Skirmish?. The images were to be reproduced in the review, whilst the lithographs themselves would be in editions of 100 and sold separately to help fund the review. Unfortunately L?Escaramouche did not outlive its first series of 12 issues, but the opportunity for the set of lithographs inspired what were to be some of the greatest monochrome prints in Lautrec?s whole oeuvre. The three outstanding works of the group are ?Pourquoi Pas?...?, ?En Quarante?, and ?Mlle Lender et Baron? , above.

Within the edition of 100 50 impressions were to be in olive green ink and 50 in black. This impression has the strong black inking.

The composition shows the famous comedienne and chanteuse Marcelle Lender, who had captivated Lautrec with her auburn hair and exaggerated expressive movements when she performed, and the comedian Louis Bouchenez who was known as ?Baron? because of his supercilious expression.