Plate: TL. 14

"Confetti made from paper was a novelty at this time, having originally been composed of rather dangerous plaster chips. The plaster variety had been outlawed in Paris since Mardis Gras in 1892, when a rage of confetti throwing from balconies had injured passersby" (San Diego Museum of Art)

"One would hardly think that an artist of Toulouse-Lautrec's stature and wealth would normally apply his talents to advertise a product as routine as confetti. As luck would have it, though, Edward Bella, one of the owners of the paper manufacturing plant of J. & E. Bella of London, was also an enthusiastic poster collector who made frequent trips to Paris and counted Lautrec among his acquaintances there. Bella, in fact, organized the first British Poster show of any consequence, with more than 250 posters, in the winter of 1894-95. Five of Lautrec's posters were featured in the collection, and 'Confetti' finished earlier that fall, was reproduced as a frontispiece in the catalogue of the exhibition. It is an altogether happy picture, with the girl ostensibly fending off the shower of confetti but secretly basking in the attention lavished on her by the unseen admirers. "(Wine Spectator, 53)

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.