HENRI DE TOULOUSE-LAUTREC (1864-1901) L'ARGENT. 1895. 12 1/2x9 1/2 inches, 32x24 cm. Eugene Verneau, Paris. Condition A. Matted and framed. Both the Théâtre de l'Oeuvre and the Théâtre Libre commissioned Toulouse-Lautrec to design illustrated programs. L'Argent is among the best he designed. The play was a comedy, and Toulouse-Lautrec depicts Monsieur and Madame Reynard (owners of the brothel where the play takes place) walking away from a table. It is a powerful and a dynamic image. The diagonal of the composition and the simple figures, constructed of broad areas of flat color, exude the sense of japonisme that both influenced Toulouse-Lautrec's work and pervaded it. Witrock 97, Adriani 133-II.
