German Babylon (Babylone d'Allemagne) 1894

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's lithograph *German Babylon (Babylone d'Allemagne)* from 1894 depicts a scene of a mounted officer in a German uniform followed by a soldier in a long, black coat. The figures are shown in stark black and white against a background of diagonal black lines, creating a sense of movement and tension. The stark contrast of colors and lines is typical of Lautrec's style, known for its bold compositions and depictions of everyday life in Paris. The artwork is a comment on the social and political climate of the time, with the officer representing the power and authority of the German Empire. The use of the term "Babylon" in the title suggests a critique of the city's extravagance and excess.