Announcement for the Théâtre de L'Oeuvre
Original title: Announcement for the Théâtre de L'Oeuvre
kurzbeschreibung
This 1895 announcement sheet by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was made for the Théâtre de L'Oeuvre. Executed as a crayon and spatter-transfer lithograph on paper, it shows a man on a stage with a microphone, while ship structures loom behind him. The print served as advertising for the theatre and bears the words 'L'OEUVRE' and 'Paris, 23 rue Turgot'.
Description
A man stands at the front on a platform, holding a microphone and wearing a jacket; his face looks serious. Behind him, masts and sails suggest a maritime setting, all in greys and dark tones. Bold strokes and hatching model the figure and the structures. At the lower left, the texts 'L'OEUVRE' and 'Paris, 23 rue Turgot' are inserted.
Context
This sheet was created in 1895 as an announcement for the Théâtre de L'Oeuvre. This avant-garde Parisian theatre was known for symbolist and experimental productions. Toulouse-Lautrec made the lithograph for a theatre brochure, with the text added by another hand. Founded in 1893 by Lugné-Poe, the house played an important role in the Parisian theatre scene of the 1890s.
Impact
The dark grey tonality creates a serious, contemplative mood that suits the theatre's avant-garde aesthetic. The asymmetrical layout draws the eye to the front figure, while the maritime background gives mysterious depth. Stage motif and ship associations work together symbolically and invite interpretation.
Technique
Crayon and spatter-transfer lithograph, transferred to another plate and supplemented with text by another hand. The only state is present, printed on wove paper. The spatter technique produces fine dots and gradations that, together with the crayon strokes, create a rich texture and depth.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)