Portrait of Toulouse-Lautrec (Portrait de Toulouse-Lautrec), from "L'Estampe Originale"
Original title: Portrait of Toulouse-Lautrec (Portrait de Toulouse-Lautrec), from "L'Estampe Originale"
kurzbeschreibung
Charles Maurin made this aquatint etching in 1893 as a portrait of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The artist appears in profile facing left, wearing a top hat and holding a cigar, rendered in dark brown tones. The print was published in the journal L'Estampe Originale.
Description
A man in left profile, wearing a dark top hat and a collared jacket. His face is striking: a prominent nose, mouth slightly open with a cigar stub. The background feels dark and textured, pushing the figure forward. Brown tones dominate the entire image, typical of aquatint. In the lower right, the signature M.C., the number No. 23, and the name Maurice appear in blue ink.
Context
For the art journal L'Estampe Originale, which published original prints by contemporary artists, Charles Maurin created this portrait in 1893. Toulouse-Lautrec was then among the well-known artists of the Parisian avant-garde, and Maurin portrayed him as a colleague. Maurin mastered aquatint in brown, a technique valued for its soft tonal gradations. The handwritten additions in the lower right indicate a numbered edition.
Impact
The dark, textured surroundings and fine brown tones give the portrait an intimate, almost melancholic mood. The sideward gaze and the cigar emphasize Toulouse-Lautrec's distinctive personality without idealizing it. Because only a few tones are used, the characteristic facial features stand out clearly.
Technique
An aquatint etching, printed in brown ink on paper. The aquatint technique allows for soft tonal transitions and a painterly effect, used here for the dark shadows and the texture of the background. The plate measures 22.5 × 13.7 cm, while the sheet is significantly larger at 50.8 × 36 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)