This exquisite lithograph after Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901), titled Entraineur feminin (Female Trainer), from the folio Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, A Suite of Color Drawings at the Circus, originates from the 1967 edition published and printed by Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, New York. Entraineur feminin captures Toulouse-Lautrec’s incisive observation of movement and character, translating the spectacle and theatricality of the circus into a composition defined by fluid contour, expressive gesture, and psychological immediacy.
Executed as a lithograph on velin paper, archivally mounted on backing sheet, as issued, this work measures 17.32 x 14.17 inches, overall; 10.5 x 7.7 inches, image (43.99 x 35.99 cm overall; 26.67 x 19.56 cm image). Signed in the plate and unnumbered as issued. The edition reflects the high production standards of Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, New York, known for its commitment to museum-quality art publications.
Artwork Details:
Artist: After Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901)
Title: Entraineur feminin (Female Trainer), from Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, A Suite of Color Drawings at the Circus
Medium: Lithograph on velin paper, archivally mounted on backing sheet, as issued
Dimensions: 17.32 x 14.17 inches, overall; 10.5 x 7.7 inches, image (43.99 x 35.99 cm overall; 26.67 x 19.56 cm image)
Inscription: Signed in the plate and unnumbered as issued
Date: 1967
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, New York
Printer: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, New York
Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium
Provenance: From the folio Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, A Suite of Color Drawings at the Circus, published 1967
About the Publication:
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, A Suite of Color Drawings at the Circus, published and printed by Harry N. Abrams, New York, in 1967, represents a significant mid twentieth century American art edition dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of masterworks of modern European art. Issued during a period when Abrams was establishing itself as a premier publisher of high quality art volumes in the United States, the folio reflects a commitment to printmaking, scholarly presentation, and durable materials suitable for collectors and institutions alike. The suite presents Lautrec’s circus imagery within a carefully produced format that balances visual clarity with archival integrity, exemplifying the role of American publishing houses in broadening access to European modernism for an international audience. As part of Abrams’ broader mission to produce authoritative art publications, this edition stands as an important example of postwar art scholarship and printmaking that brought the vibrancy of Lautrec’s Belle Epoque vision to new generations of collectors, museums, and libraries.
About the Artist:
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901) was a French painter, printmaker, draughtsman, and illustrator celebrated for his vivid and empathetic depictions of Parisian nightlife during the Belle Epoque. A master observer of character and movement, Toulouse-Lautrec chronicled the bohemian world of Montmartre—its cabarets, performers, dancers, and cafes—with a revolutionary use of color, composition, and line that redefined both fine art and commercial design. His iconic posters for the Moulin Rouge and other venues not only captured the exuberant energy of modern urban life but also elevated lithography to the level of high art. Despite his physical frailty due to a congenital condition, his creative output was prolific and profoundly influential, shaping the evolution of modern visual culture. Inspired by the expressive realism of Honore Daumier, Edgar Degas, and Edouard Manet, as well as the vivid color and composition of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Toulouse-Lautrec absorbed and transformed these influences into a bold, modern visual language uniquely his own. He worked and exhibited among many of the most important artists of his time, including Vincent van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Vuillard, and Paul Signac, and his work stands in lasting dialogue with the great modern masters who followed—Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, Georges Braque, Marc Chagall, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kantinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray—each of whom shared his drive to reinvent art for the modern age. His paintings, drawings, and lithographs are represented in major museums worldwide, including the Musee dOrsay, the National Gallery, the Tate, and MoMA, where they continue to captivate audiences for their psychological depth and timeless vitality. The highest price ever paid for a Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec artwork is approximately 22.4 million USD, achieved in 2005 at Christies London for La Blanchisseuse (1886–87).
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Entraineur feminin Female Trainer A Suite of Color Drawings at the Circus 1967 lithograph Harry N. Abrams New York Modernism.
