Description
Aristide Bruant turns in profile beneath a black cape and red scarf against yellow paper. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec gives the named cabaret performer a strongly concentrated presence, using the contrast of figure and ground to carry the poster. The broad clothing and directed face make the person immediately distinct, while lettering connects the portrayal with his public identity.
The 1893 lithograph is printed in four colors with text on machine-made wove paper. Its combination of image and lettering makes the poster a graphic composition as well as a communication. The work’s interest lies in the lasting visual presence it gives Bruant, allowing a named figure to remain engaging beyond the practical occasion of an advertisement and the brief duration of a performance.
Read our guide to giclée prints or browse the Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec collection.
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