HENRI DE TOULOUSE-LAUTREC (1864-1901) AMBASSADEURS. 1892.
56 1/8x37 5/8 inches. Edw. Ancourt, Paris.
Condition A: vertical and horizontal folds
Bruant and Lautrec shared a mutual admiration for each other, and Bruant was the first performer to ask Lautrec to design a poster for him. The result is one of the simplest and most powerful music hall posters ever designed. Created with the four primary colors and Lautrec's cherished green, it depicts Bruant in his costume, black hat, red scarf and black cape coming out of the wings, where we can see three lights and the black shadow of a stage hand. At Bruant's insistence the poster was plastered all over Paris, despite the theater manager's intense dislike of it (he referred to as "a revolting mess.") The bold, forceful design of the cabaret star captures the performer's famed arrogance. Bruant went on to become Lautrec's biggest client, commissioning three other posters from him. The poster was drawn on two stones but "with some impressions printed on one [like this example] and some on two sheets of paper." (Adriani p. 23). Adriani 3, Delteil 343, Wittrock P 4, Maitres 1900 p. 48.

Additional Lot Information & Condition Report

view more

---