HENRI DE TOULOUSE-LAUTREC (1864-1901) L'ESTAMPE ORIGINALE. Cover. 1895. 23 1/8x32 1/2 inches, 59x83 cm. Edw. Ancourt, Paris. Condition B+: repaired tears at edges; creases, abrasions and discoloration in margins and image. Lautrec designed a program for his friend Lugné-Poë's production of Le Chariot de Terre Cuite (see Swann Art Nouveau auction #2133, lot 142), and "the scenery [for the production] makes another appearance in this cover for the ninth and last edition of L'Estampe Originale in March 1895" (Adriani p, 181). Centered on the elephant from the play, Lautrec depicts a clever, simultaneous view of both sides of the theatre curtain. On the right he depicts a backstage view with a stage hand raising the curtain and a dancer getting ready. On the left he depicts the same view from the front of the house. For this view he revisits his composition for the Divan Japonais, this time showing his friend Misia Natanson watching the curtain rise on stage. Delteil 127, Adhemar 111, Wittrock 96, Adriani 129.
