Created in 1895, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec L'Argent, is a compelling example of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery of lithography and his remarkable ability to capture the spirit of Parisian life during the vibrant Belle Époque. Known for his keen observational eye and bold graphic style, Lautrec revolutionized printmaking and poster art, transforming the medium into one of the most expressive visual languages of late nineteenth-century modern art.

In this striking composition, Lautrec employs a refined palette dominated by a rich, saturated red background that immediately commands attention. The simplified silhouettes of the elegantly dressed figures—seen from behind—demonstrate the artist’s celebrated ability to convey narrative and character through minimal yet confident lines. The sweeping contours of the figures’ garments and the dramatic contrast between light and dark forms create a strong visual rhythm that draws the viewer into the scene.

The title, L’Argent (“Money”), subtly references the themes of commerce, social exchange, and the shifting cultural dynamics of modern Paris. Lautrec’s work frequently explored the intersections of society, nightlife, and the urban spectacle of the city, and this print reflects the artist’s fascination with the personalities and environments that defined the capital’s cultural life at the end of the nineteenth century.

Lautrec’s pioneering lithographs played a crucial role in shaping modern graphic design and poster art, influencing generations of artists and designers. Today, his works are held in the collections of the world’s most important museums, including the Musée d’Orsay, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Elegant, bold, and unmistakably modern, L’Argent exemplifies Toulouse-Lautrec’s ability to combine graphic clarity with psychological insight. More than a century after its creation, the work remains a vivid testament to the artist’s extraordinary contribution to the development of modern printmaking and the visual culture of Paris at the height of the Belle Époque.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec L'Argent, 1895 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work).

1. Adriani, Götz. Toulouse Lautrec: The Complete Graphic Works A Catalogue Raisonne, London, 1988. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 130 with another example illustrated.

2. Wittrock, Wolfgang. Toulouse-Lautrec The Complete Prints, Vol I, New York, 1985. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné N 97.

3. Delteil Loys. H. de Toulouse-Lautrec, seconde partie, Paris, 1920. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 15.

4. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec L'Argent, 1895 is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complimentary moulding and finished with linen-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.

Availability

This Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Lithograph is for sale. Collectors can buy this work immediately. Upon purchase, we ship as soon as overnight or your preferred shipping method. Learn more about shipping.