Polin
Original title: Polin
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made the crayon lithograph Polin in 1898. It shows a single person seen from behind in a café. The sheet measures 28.7 x 23.2 cm, the support paper 38.8 x 31.4 cm. It was printed in gray-black on china paper.
Description
A figure in a cap and jacket stands in the foreground, back turned to the viewer. Behind, people sit at tables and drink. The view stays in gray tones, with fine hatching bringing out light and shadow. The layout is broad and brings the central figure into focus.
Context
The lithograph was made in 1898, when Toulouse-Lautrec was known for his portrayals of Parisian nightlife. The motif of a lonely person in a café interior fits his interest in everyday scenes of entertainment culture. It belongs to a series of lithographs he produced for various publications and collectors.
Impact
The print radiates a calm, observing mood. The view from behind creates distance. Fine hatching and the subdued monochrome produce an intimate atmosphere characteristic of Lautrec's graphic works.
Technique
In crayon lithography, the artist draws with chalk directly on the lithographic limestone. Printing was done in gray-black on china paper, a thin, smooth paper that reproduces fine details well. This allowed Lautrec to achieve nuanced tonal values and precise lines.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)