Description:Toulouse-Lautrec creates yet another piece inspired by his fascination with the Parisian opera during the late 19th century. He uses rich shading and places his characters in a 3-dimensional setting, making Au Theatre Libre, Antoine Dans 'l'inquietude' one of his rare ventures away from his iconic poster-driven creations. Featuring expressive, animated strokes throughout the composition, we are pulled into a scene already in action. Antoine is revealed with his back to us, his profile barely visible beneath the rim of his well-shaded cap.
The woman he is speaking with has an air of fatigue, whose costume, posture, and expression all serve to translate Toulouse-Lautrec's interpretation of L'Inquietude, or 'Worry.' Highly engaging, rich in emotion and depth, another side to Toulouse-Lautrec's creativity and talent is brought to light with this stellar print.
Created in 1893, this work features Toulouse-Lautrec's red monogram stamp in the lower left in addition to his monogram in the stone in the lower right. It was printed by Ancourt, Paris and published by L'Escarmouche and reproduced in the January 14, 1894 issue of the magazine in its first and only edition.
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that I will enclose with the sale of the work) :
1) Adhémar, Jean. Toulouse-Lautrec: His Complete Lithographs and Drypoints, New York, 1951. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 55.
2) Adriani, Götz. Toulouse Lautrec: The Complete Graphic Works A Catalogue Raisonne, London, 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 56 on pg. 88 and illustrated on pg. 92.
3) Delteil Loys. H. de Toulouse-Lautrec, première partie, Paris, 1920. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 51.
4) Lugt, Frits. Les Marques de Collections de Dessins & d'Estampes, Amsterdam, 1921. Signature stamp listed and illustrated as cat. no. 1338 on pg. 240.
5) Wittrock, Wolfgang. Toulouse-Lautrec The Complete Prints, Vol I, New York, 1985. Listed and illustrated on pgs. 140-141 as catalogue raisonné no. 41.
About the Framing:
Conservation framed with museum-quality archival materials, this work is set in a beautiful, Italian-style gold moulding that gracefully complements this marvelous work. Its intricately carved detailing serves to accent Toulouse-Lautrec's ornate composition and even echoes the costume of Antoine and his female counterpart. Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas® cover.
