At the Concert by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

At the Concert

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec · 1896

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“Step into a hushed Parisian concert hall through this lithograph, capturing a private moment of a red-haired woman absorbed in the performance. It's a vivid snapshot of urban nightlife, focusing on intimate human observation.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

In this intimate lithograph, we are drawn into a Parisian concert hall, glimpsing a woman with striking red hair from behind. Her head is tilted, her attention seemingly fixed on the stage or a companion just out of frame. The composition, with its cropped figures and bold outlines, feels immediate and unposed, as if we've stumbled upon a private moment. The artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, was a keen observer of urban life, particularly the entertainments and social scenes of Montmartre. Here, he captures the atmosphere of a public performance, focusing on the individual experience within the crowd. The subdued colors and strong graphic quality emphasize the woman's form and the enveloping darkness of the hall, inviting us to share in her quiet absorption.

DETAILS
Artist
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Date
1896
Medium
Zinc lithographic plate with corners removed and beveled edges, laid down on mauve board and taped to mat
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
32 × 25.3 cm (12 5/8 × 10 in.)
ART MOVEMENTS
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

At the Concert

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01

Plumed black hat

Her wide black hat and tall dark plume form the heaviest dark shape on the left, framing her pale face and yellow curls below it.

1 of 5 on the painting
02

The fur wrap

Look at the woman's feathery wrap, built from loose spatters and scratchy lines. It looks soft and shaggy, though it is only flecks of ink.

2 of 5 on the painting
03

Man in the top hat

The older man leans in behind her, his eyes cast down behind small glasses, with a heavy moustache. A few quick lines give him a distinct, slightly weary look.

3 of 5 on the painting
04

Small yellow flower

Pinned to his black lapel is a tiny yellow blossom. It is a bright little accent in a big dark area, easy to miss.

4 of 5 on the painting
05

Lettering and the scene

The ad copy sits at the lower left, tucked against the red balcony rail. The lettering and the picture work together as one design.

5 of 5 on the painting
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THE ARTIST

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

1864–1901 · France

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the aristocratic artist of fin-de-siècle Paris, immortalized the vibrant, often scandalous, life of Montmartre's cabarets and brothels.

Read de Toulouse-Lautrec’s full story
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