Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender (Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender, en buste) 1895

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this print of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender using lithography, a process that democratized image-making in the late 19th century. Unlike traditional etching or engraving, which require laborious carving, lithography allows an artist to draw directly onto a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon or ink. The surface is then treated so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas, allowing for the reproduction of fine lines and tonal variations. This print, with its soft, almost sketch-like quality, reveals the immediacy and directness of lithography. The quick, confident lines suggest a sense of spontaneity, capturing Lender's likeness with remarkable economy. The process allowed for the creation of multiples, making art more accessible to a wider audience, reflecting the changing landscape of art production and consumption during the rise of industrial capitalism. By embracing this relatively new technology, Toulouse-Lautrec blurred the lines between fine art and commercial reproduction. This reminds us of the importance of considering materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.