← Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Ambroise Thomas assistant à une répétition de Françoise de Rimini, from Le Rire, No. 66, 8 February 1896

Original title: Ambroise Thomas assistant à une répétition de Françoise de Rimini, from Le Rire, No. 66, 8 February 1896

Artist

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Date

1896

Medium

Lithograph

Dimensions

Image: 10 5/8 × 8 9/16 in. (27 × 21.8 cm) Sheet: 16 9/16 × 12 9/16 in. (42 × 31.9 cm) Mat: 19 1/4 × 14 1/4 in. (48.9 × 36.2 cm)

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1962

kurzbeschreibung

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this lithograph in 1896, capturing the composer Ambroise Thomas during an opera rehearsal. It appeared in the satirical journal Le Rire. A dog lies in the foreground, while three musicians with scores and instruments appear behind.

Description

On a bench in the foreground, a dog rests and lifts its head upward. Behind it stand three men in varied poses: one in a dark suit with a trombone, two holding sheet music. Red curtains and a column divide the space. The palette remains mostly pastel, with a pronounced contrast between light and dark. The arrangement gains tension from the scattered positions of the figures.

Context

This lithograph was created for Le Rire, a magazine founded in 1894 and known for its humorous and satirical style. The subject refers to Ambroise Thomas's opera 'Françoise de Rimini', premiered in 1882. The portrayal of a rehearsal reflects Lautrec's interest in theater and backstage life.

Impact

A familiar yet ironic mood arises when the composer is shown amid the preparations. The dog's calm presence contrasts with the busy musicians, creating an amusing juxtaposition.

Technique

This print is a lithograph that uses clear lines and flat areas of color. The process allows for subtle gradations and pastel tones, as are typical of Lautrec's prints.

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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)