Plate: TL. 23

"At the height of the cancan's popularity, dancers formed groups which offered their services as a unit. Whether the troupe of Mlle Eglantine was the best of them we don't know, but it is certainly the only one publicized by the best Toulouse-Lautrec did it at his request of his friend Jane Avril. From left to right, we see Jane Avril. Cleopatra, Eglantine and Gazelle. As with Moulin Rouge poster, he lets the white of the petticoats, punctuated by stockinged legs, do most of the talking, but he also offhandedly gives each girl a distinct character in only a fez limning their facial expressions" (Wine Spectator, 43) The poster was designed for the group's London appearance at the Palais Theatre. Jane Avril her friend to Henri (Lautrec) at the last minute to leave the name of the venue out of the design, hoping that it would be a success and travel to other theatrers as well. Unfortunately, the Troupe was not well received and they went no further. But the cancan, which was usually performed at the time in a formation of four dancers, as shown here, continues to live in our imagination due to the lively, fresh and original composition of this poster" (Rennert, PAI-XXXI, 676)

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.