Posted 2 years ago
jennyafrank
(10 items)
This is a follow up to a post from 2+ years ago.... I am still looking for more information about this piece. Here is what I know..... It is DEFINTELY by Toulouse-Lautrec. (Thank you to all who helped me identify it, without your help it would've ended up lost or discarded.) 1. It was on the dust jacket of the 1921 book by Paul LeClerq "Autour de Toulouse-Lautrec." However, there is no mention of the image in the book itself. It is NOT one of the plates from the book.
2. It also appeared as a plate in "Drawings--Toulouse-Lautrec" by Jan Polasek. Unfortunately, Mr. Polasek gives a detailed history of every plate in this book except this one. Mr. Polasek also lists this as "At the Theatre" which is incorrect. I have a 2nd Edition copy of this book. The 1st Edition contains collotypes, whereas the 2nd Edition is printed copies of the collotypes. I compared the size of the image in the book to the one I have. They are not the same, which leads me to believe I do not have a plate from the 1st Edition.
3. The image is mentioned in " Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1964-1901 : dessins, estampes, affiches" by Maurice Joyant. This book is as rare as it gets - 2 copies both in Special Collections, one in Dallas, the other at Penn State. The book is not digitized (copyright issues) but excerpts are available online (see attached).
I understand Toulouse-Lautrec images have been reproduced countless times over the years. What I have is likely a reproduction but the question remains, "from when/who/how?" The white highlights are indisputably an original medium (possibly chalk or gouache). The rest is in question - is it a collotype, lithograph, or ?? The inscription on the bottom left is specifically addressed to Henri Floury. If Lautrec had presented Mr. Floury with such a gift it is hard to believe he made multiple copies. After Lautrec's death in 1901, Mr. Floury could've made copies of the drawing (using collotype or lithograph) but it stands to reason he would've done so to publicize the 1921 Paul LeClerq book, and then Floury would've included the type (author, title, publisher).
I'm hoping this post finds its way to someone who is an expert on Toulouse-Lautrec, Maurice Joyant or Henri Floury. When I first began my search my objective was to sell it. Now, after 2+ years I can't imagine not having it hanging on my wall. It has become part of my life and a great story.....the time I found that Toulouse-Lautrec hidden in a frame in a thrift store...... To me, it is priceless but darn it - I still want to know what the heck is it exactly?!
Intriguing..I did see one place selling a poster titled, "leaving the theatre" not sure if they mis translated it? He did a lot of pieces..(he completed over 1,000 known paintings or watercolors, nearly 400 posters and prints, and over 5,000 drawings)
have you tried reaching out to people that specialize in his artwork?
There are several museums that have his art. I saw this foundation..they may be able to help you?
https://www.toulouse-lautrec-foundation.org/the-complete-works.html?pageno=1