The artwork “Yvette Guilbert” by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a portrait dating back to circa 1894, which places it within the Art Nouveau period, a modern art movement characterized by its intricate linear designs and flowing curves. This particular piece is housed at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City, New York, United States.
The artwork portrays Yvette Guilbert, a French cabaret singer and actress who was one of Lautrec’s favorite subjects. Guilbert is depicted with her signature long black gloves reaching above the elbows and a gown with a ruffled collar. Lautrec has captured her mid-performance, her body slightly turned, as she raises one gloved hand in gesture, and her expression conveys an emotive performance. The portrait is executed with a limited color palette, predominantly using lines with subtle variations in thickness to delineate form, shadow, and movement. The backdrop of vertical striations adds a dynamic quality to the composition and an almost abstract element to the portrayal. The artist’s signature can be seen at the bottom right of the portrait, which lends authenticity and a personal touch to the piece. The minimal use of color and the sparse but expressive lines are typical of Lautrec’s style, which often focused on the bohemian life of Paris, particularly the cafes, theaters, and cabarets.
