The Jockey
Original title: The Jockey
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created the lithograph 'Der Jockey' in 1899, showing a rider on a galloping horse. The print was pulled on China paper and measures 51.0 x 36.0 cm. It belongs to a series of horse depictions made during the artist's final years.
Description
Up front, a jockey rides a horse that charges forward at a gallop; his garment flutters loosely, underscoring the motion. Behind him appear other figures and a landscape with windmills. The layout stretches horizontally, heightening the sense of forward drive. Gray tones dominate the monochromatic print, while diffuse light creates a calm mood. Visible strokes and shading define the drawn style, emphasizing texture and movement.
Context
In 1899, the year of its making, Toulouse-Lautrec turned increasingly to depicting horses. This print belongs to his late period, when he was already suffering from the effects of alcoholism and syphilis. It was printed in an edition of 100 and formed part of a series intended for an avant-garde journal. The influence of Japanese woodcuts is evident in the flat arrangement and the emphasis on silhouette.
Impact
The few tones and clear linework produce a quiet, almost meditative atmosphere. At the same time, the horse's dynamic posture radiates palpable energy that draws the viewer into the movement. This contrast of calm and dynamism makes the image a striking example of Toulouse-Lautrec's feel for tension.
Technique
This is a lithograph on China paper, a thin, high-quality paper that permits fine details. In this technique, one draws with chalk or ink on a stone, yielding nuanced gray tones and textures. The visible strokes and shading attest to the artist's manual precision and the quality of the print.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)