Full size (printed in 1892) sold for $ 87,000 US Sotheby's, N.Y. Lot
155, March 2001.
"The Montmartre chansonnier turned restaurateur, ARISTIDE
BRUANT, was a strong, imposing personality, and in the several posters
of him Toulouse-Lautrec conveys this by letting him dominate the
picture completely, with virtually nothing else to distract our
attention, and with Bruant's characteristic red scarf, hat and walking
stick adding impact to the image"(Wine
Spectator 46) The singer used the poster, with the image reversed,
to advertise his appearance at the Ambassadeurs.
"One of the most imposing poster images of all time. The singer
dominates the poster with as much authority as he commanded on stage.
The thrust and power are achieved by fine draftsmanship, excellent
colours and bold composition"(Rennert,
PAI-XXI, 433)
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.
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