II. Dans la Glu
Original title: II. Dans la Glu
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made the lithograph II. Dans la Glu in 1898. It shows a seated half-figure in plain clothing, looking to the left. The sheet belongs to a series and was printed with a beige tint stone on laid paper.
Description
A seated person appears as a half-figure, turned to the left. They wear a simple garment that reaches from shoulder to belly. The background remains bare; horizontal and diagonal strokes suggest a structure or pattern. Gray tones in monochrome gradation define the image, revealing a draft-like, sketchy execution. Light falls evenly, with no visible shadows.
Context
The lithograph was made in 1898 as part of a series in which Toulouse-Lautrec engaged with Parisian nightlife and its marginal figures. The title Dans la Glu (In the Stickiness) refers to a play by Oscar Méténier, premiered in 1896. Lautrec was known for his pictures of singers, dancers, and prostitutes in Montmartre. By the time of its creation, he had already gained international recognition with posters and prints.
Impact
At first, the viewer is caught by the calm, intimate mood that the reduced layout and delicate lines evoke. The monochrome gray tones create distance and a certain melancholy, as is characteristic of Lautrec's later works.
Technique
The sheet was printed as a lithograph with a beige tint stone on laid paper. The fine linework and structured shading suggest careful drawing on the stone. The tint stone allowed for subtle gradations in the print.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)