Why Not? . . . Once is Not to Make a Habit of It
Original title: Why Not? . . . Once is Not to Make a Habit of It
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this lithograph, Warum nicht? ... Einmal ist keinmal, in 1893. Printed in olive green on wove paper, it presents three figures: a top-hatted man and two fashionably dressed women in lively conversation. The subject belongs to a series of prints exploring Parisian nightlife during the Belle Époque.
Description
Three figures appear at half-length: a man in a top hat and jacket, and two women in stylish dresses and coats. The women are talking; the man listens attentively. The layout is asymmetrical, with the figures slightly offset from one another, creating an intimate mood. Everything is rendered in a single olive green, with visible brushstrokes and shading that bring out the texture of the clothing and the features of the faces.
Context
This sheet dates from 1893, when Toulouse-Lautrec was deeply engaged with Montmartre, the Parisian entertainment district. It takes its place among his portrayals of artists, dancers, and patrons of cabarets and cafés. The title alludes to a fleeting encounter or a one-time experience—a recurring theme in Lautrec's oeuvre. The lithograph was printed in an edition and intended for the art market.
Impact
The restrained color and tight cropping give the print a quiet, almost wistful tone. Precise drawing directs attention to the expressions and gestures of the figures, establishing an immediate closeness to the subject. The plain elegance of the lines makes the work a typical example of Lautrec's graphic skill.
Technique
The lithograph was printed with crayon, brush, and spatter technique in olive green ink on wove paper. Only one state exists. The combination of drawn and painterly means demonstrates Lautrec's experimental approach to printmaking.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)