Portrait Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender (1895, Met-Objekt 848)
Original title: Portrait Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this portrait of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender in 1895 as a lithograph. It shows the singer and actress seated, half-length, her gaze lowered in thought. The print was pulled with crayon, brush, and spatter in eight colors on wove paper; this is the fourth of four states (Pan edition, 1895).
Description
A seated woman dominates the sheet with her upper body and head. She wears a dress with a strikingly decorated sleeve and a ribbon-like accessory in her hair. Her gaze drifts downward, creating a pensive mood. Behind her, faint strokes and lines hint at a window or architectural structure. Grays set the tone; the expressive, almost impressionistic technique feels sketchy and alive.
Context
Marcelle Lender was a celebrated singer and actress of the Parisian Belle Époque, often appearing in operettas and revues. In 1895 Toulouse-Lautrec portrayed her several times, including in lithographs that appeared in the magazine Pan. The fourth state of this print was part of the 1895 Pan edition. During these years the artist experimented intensively with lithographic processes and captured Parisian nightlife.
Impact
The spontaneous, lively linework gives the sitter an immediate presence. A monochrome palette and soft transitions create an intimate, almost private atmosphere. Her thoughtful gaze invites the viewer into her inner world.
Technique
As a lithograph, the sheet was printed with crayon, brush, and spatter on wove paper. It was made in eight colors, with printing in four states. The combination of drawn and painted elements demonstrates Toulouse-Lautrec's virtuoso handling of lithography as an artistic medium.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)