Portret van actrice Marthe Brandès en acteur Charles le Bargy in toneelstuk Les Cabotins 1894

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec sketched this lithograph of actors Marthe Brandès and Charles le Bargy sometime in the late 19th century. It was a period of dramatic social and political change across Europe. Here, we see Brandès and le Bargy not in character, but in a moment of backstage repose. It gives an intimate glimpse into the lives of performers, and perhaps, the performative nature of identity itself. There’s a raw, almost unsettling energy in Brandès’ gaze, challenging conventional representations of women. At the time, the theatre was a space where gender roles could be explored. Brandès became renowned for portraying strong female characters, and defying societal norms through her roles. Toulouse-Lautrec captures not just their physical likeness, but also an emotional intensity, reflecting the changing dynamics of gender and identity. The print invites us to consider the blurred lines between public persona and private self.