“A Saint Lazare, Song Title” is an artwork by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec dated to the year 1887. The piece is a genre painting that belongs to the Post-Impressionism art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 24 cm by 16 cm, showcasing Lautrec’s characteristic style and thematic concern with the Parisian social landscape.
The artwork depicts a solitary figure engaged in the act of writing or reading at a table, which suggests a moment of contemplation or creative endeavor. The subject is portrayed in profile, whereby the depth and texture are implied more through the use of line than elaborate shading or color, which is consistent with Lautrec’s graphic sensibility. There is a notable economy of detail in the depiction, with the subject’s features being rendered with swift, deft lines that communicate the essence of the figure’s posture and engagement. The artwork captures a slice of daily life, evoking the intimate atmosphere of the setting, and simultaneously provides insight into the cultural milieu of the time. Toulouse-Lautrec’s emphasis on the individual within a social context is evident and aligns with the genre painting traditions that sought to portray ordinary scenes and people.
