Plate: TL. 32

"Of all the music hall performers who inspired Lautrec, Yvette Guilbert exerted by far the greatest hold over him. He was completely fascinated by the style and atmosphere of her act. Lautrec first saw her in about 1892, she had revolutionized the whole atmosphere of the cafe concert by a totally new approach to the performance of a song. Standing almost still except for gestures of her long thin arms in black gloves, which she almost invariably wore, her face almost expressionless except for the twist of her lips, she sang songs with highly scandalous words and themes. The Paris audience was captivating and none more than Lautrec. He found the whole atmosphere of her act and personality magnetic. Over the years they became well known to each other and she inspired some of his finest lithographs, drawings and paintings" (Weston No.5 1989 89)

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.