Plate: TL. 20

"This was Lautrec's entry in a competition for a poster to publicize W. Milligan Sloane's History of Napoleon I, which was being published in serial form in the American 'Century Magazine." The artists of the jury were died-in-the-wool conservatives who placed Lautrec fourth among twenty contestants and criticized his design for lack of finish. Following his defeat Lautrec had the printing house Ancourt pull a hundred impressions of 'Napoleon' an edition he may have had printed at his own expense.

In contrast to the dull academic illustration by
Lucien Metivet that was chosen by the jurors, Lautrec's design is vibrant, and combines historical references with human insight into his subject. The Mameluke riding at Napoleon's right and the marshal on his left suggest the victorious Egyptian and European campaigns, while the isolated, sombre figure of the commander riding ahead seems to embody both his power and his inevitable downfall.

In his graphic work Lautrec spurned illusionism and finish as false and merely manual, adhering instead to a veracity that is visual , suggestive, and economic. This is beautifully exemplified in the avoidance of detail, the airy atmosphere, and the dynamic cropping of Napoleon's horse" (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.