The Box with the Gilded Mask (1894, Met-Objekt 883)
Original title: The Box with the Gilded Mask
kurzbeschreibung
Two theatregoers in a box seat are captured in this 1894 lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Printed with crayon, brush, and spatter on imitation japan paper, the sheet was executed in five colours.
Description
On the left, a figure with a light-coloured head covering turns away, while on the right a person in a black jacket with a red bow holds spectacles to their nose, looking off to the right. Below the box, a golden mask motif extends vertically downward. A red ground with linear marks suggests a curtain or a row of seats. Red, gold, and black dominate, with white accents, and the light models the contours of the figures and the mask.
Context
Created in 1894, when Toulouse-Lautrec was closely observing Parisian nightlife and the theatre world, this lithograph belongs to his engagement with spectators and performances, a theme that recurs frequently in his later work. The use of five colours and the combination of crayon, brush, and spatter demonstrate his experimental approach to printmaking.
Impact
An intimate, almost voyeuristic mood draws the viewer into the perspective of the theatregoers. Dark figures stand against the glowing gold of the mask, lending the sheet a decorative yet slightly ironic note.
Technique
For this sheet, Toulouse-Lautrec used crayon and brush as well as spatter and further worked it with a scraper. It was printed in five colours on imitation japan paper, which favours fine lines and spatter effects. Crayon and spatter create a lively texture and soft transitions.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)