May Belfort (1895)
Original title: May Belfort
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this lithograph, May Belfort, in 1895. It presents the singer in a bright red stage costume. Measuring 80 by 61 cm, the sheet is a characteristic example of Lautrec's posters and prints from the Belle Époque.
Description
A woman in a red dress with wide sleeves and a white bow at the collar stands upright and looks directly at the viewer. On her head is a cap with a large bow and fur trim. Vertical lines behind her suggest a window or architectural structure. At the bottom edge, the name 'May Belfort' appears in green letters; lower left is the 'FL' logo, and lower right the text 'Arnauld, 7 rue Racine'.
Context
The Irish singer May Belfort performed in Parisian cabarets such as the Mirliton in the 1890s. Toulouse-Lautrec produced this sheet in 1895 as an advertising lithograph for her appearances. The artist was known for his posters depicting Montmartre nightlife. This work belongs to a series of prints he made for various performers on the Paris entertainment scene.
Impact
The subject's direct gaze and upright posture immediately engage the viewer. Bold colors and a clear layout emphasize the figure's presence. The result is a self-assured, almost challenging aura.
Technique
For this lithograph, the motif was drawn on a limestone block with greasy chalk and then transferred to paper. Toulouse-Lautrec used several colors, including red, green, and black, to achieve a flat, poster-like effect. The dimensions of 80 by 61 cm indicate a large-format poster intended for public display.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)