In Their Forties
Original title: In Their Forties
kurzbeschreibung
Two men sit side by side in profile, captured in a crayon lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec from 1893. Printed in olive green on imitation japan paper, this sheet belongs to a series devoted to Parisian nightlife.
Description
On the left, a man with a hat and jacket; on the right, his companion in a top hat and suit — both in profile. Fluid, sketch-like lines emphasize the contours. Olive green dominates the color palette, while gray tones shape the bodies. At the bottom are the signature 'F. Lautrec' and a red seal; at the lower right, the date and inventory number.
Context
Created in 1893, when Toulouse-Lautrec was intensively exploring the Montmartre entertainment district. The two middle-aged men reflect his interest in social types and everyday scenes. This sheet belongs to a lithograph series intended for a portfolio that was never fully published.
Impact
The limited color palette and loose linework create a familiar, casual mood. By emphasizing the contours, the characteristic features of the figures come into focus without idealization.
Technique
A crayon lithograph, printed in only one state on imitation japan paper. The olive green color was applied using stone printing; the crayon drawing produces soft transitions and lively lines.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)