A Saint Lazare, Song Title 1887

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this artwork, 'A Saint Lazare, Song Title,' using lithography. It is printed on paper, a readily available material, allowing for the efficient reproduction of images. The stark black lines against the white background capture a solitary figure writing at a table. Lithography enables a directness of mark-making, similar to drawing, and this spontaneity is evident in the fluid lines that define the woman's form. The image is simple, yet suggestive, and speaks to the labor of communication. The print’s accessibility as a medium also invites consideration of its social context, as prints were often used to disseminate images and ideas widely. In thinking about the artwork, it is important to remember that seemingly simple processes like drawing, printing, and writing, carry cultural weight and social significance. They challenge conventional notions of high art by democratizing access to artistic expression.