Plate: TL. 10

"Here one sees Lautrec's third poster for Bruant, which was designed to be overprinted with different texts for different occasions. Again commissioned by singer himself, it was issued in four editions announcing performances at the Theatre Royal and Alcazar Lyrique, and his homecoming in Montmartre. Perhaps the most memorable of Bruant's posters, it stands as the heroic icon of the cafe era. By showing the figure from behind looking over his shoulder, Lautrec condenses the swaggering personality into three bold shapes, the great arc of black cape, red scarf, and black hat, that become symbolic of Bruant himself.

While general comparisons have been drawn between Lautrec's graphic style and Japanese prints, it is likely that for this poster the artist made specific reference to woodcuts of Japanese actors. Such Kabuki prints emphasized individual personality through dramatic form and posture. Japonisme had been pervasive in French painting and printmaking since the 1870's. Lautrec was familiar with Japanese prints through exhibitions held in Paris and even formed his own collection of them" (San Diego Museum of Art)

During the 1960s the renowned French printer, Mourlot Freres, printed this superb series "Les Affiches de Toulouse-Lautrec" for collectors. They are reduced lithographic versions of Lautrec's most famous works. They are truly the most beautiful printing we have been able to find in this size format.

As vintage printings of Lautrec's work, in all formats, reach high prices, this mid-century printing offers a superb alternative at a reasonable price that will only appreciate in value.