Lot 105
Lithograph (with text) printed in four colors; machine wove paper Edition of 1,000 from original plates from the museum in France. Following the success of Lautrecs posters of Aristide Bruant, advertising his performances at two chic Parisian café-concerts the Ambassadeurs and the Eldorado in 1892, the following year Bruant commissioned the artist to create another poster to promote his own cabaret, the Mirliton in Montmartre. This compelling dramatic work was remarkable for its radical design. Lautrec has reduced his portrait of Bruant almost to abstract forms, with a limited palette of four colours, beginning with a keystone in olive green, then adding black, red and brown. The emphasis is on line and form, creating volume without shading, accentuated by the adoption of flat colours. The image is dominated by Bruants signature black cloak and hat, with the incredible slash of the bright red scarf that falls over his shoulder, as he holds the cane that completed his theatrical persona. Also radical is the artists choice of viewpoint to depict the singer from behind. Despite the simplicity of the poster, something of the complex nature of Bruants character is conveyed, with his face in profile and his features delineated with just a few lines. François Gauzi described this complexity, and saw an analogy with his friend Lautrecs complicated personality: Like a true barnstormer, he was developing a split personality. When he was not at his restaurant, on the floor, he cut out the swagger and spoke unaffectedly, not without occasionally putting in a colourful phrase: Lautrec was like him in this respect. For the rest he gave the impression of a well-mannered artist, discreetly avoiding the mention of himself, his songs, and even his cabaret. At the Mirliton, the actor in him was in evidence, and he played a role and played it to perfection. We describe all items to the best of our ability as we are not experts on everything. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request.
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Dimensions:
- 26" x 36" and 33.25" and 43.25" framed Condition:
- Excellent Condition with a small tear on the top right corner (see pics). Framed behind glass
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