Caudieux at the Petit Casino (from Le Café Concert)
Original title: Caudieux at the Petit Casino (from Le Café Concert)
kurzbeschreibung
Made in 1893, this print belongs to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's lithographs connected to the Parisian entertainment venue 'Petit Casino'. It shows the singer Caudieux during a performance. Toulouse-Lautrec used crayon and spatter techniques, supplemented by a scraper, and printed on wove paper. The print exists in only one state.
Description
A seated man in suit and shirt is visible, his explanatory hand gesture capturing a moment of lively interaction. Against a simple, dark background, the silhouette stands out clearly; black and white tones dominate the image. Fine strokes shape the surface of the clothing and convey the movement of the face and arms. A small stamp is located at the bottom left.
Context
For the series 'Le Café Concert', published in 1893 by the Parisian printer Ancourt, Toulouse-Lautrec created this lithograph. The series was devoted to well-known entertainers of the Parisian cabaret and variety scene. Caudieux, a sought-after singer, performed at the 'Petit Casino', one of the many entertainment venues in Montmartre. During these years, the artist intensively experimented with printmaking techniques and captured the city's nightlife.
Impact
The restrained colors and the dark background create a dense, almost intimate mood that directs attention to the singer's gestures. The lively posture and clear lines convey the immediacy of a live performance, entirely without decorative embellishment.
Technique
Executed as a crayon lithograph with spatter technique and scraper, printed in black on wove paper. The spatter technique leaves fine dot patterns, while the scraper brings out lighter areas from the dark surface. Since only a single state of the print exists, the sheet is rare.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)