At the Théâtre de la Renaissance: Sarah Bernhardt in Phèdre

Art Historical Context

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's *At the Théâtre de la: Sarah Bernhardt inèdre* (1893) captures the electric energy of Parisian theater during the Belle Époque. This photo mechanical reproduction of a lithograph showcases the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt in the title role of Jean Racine's tragic play *Phèdre*, a that solidified her status as one of the 19th century's greatest performers. Lautrec, a pioneer of modern poster art, masterfully renders Bernhardt's dramatic intensity through bold lines and expressive forms, typical of his Post-Impressionist style influenced by Japanese prints and the vibrant nightlife of Montmartre. Printed on machine-wove paper in its only state, this work exemplifies Lautrec's innovative use of lithography—a technique he elevated to fine art. Posters like this one advertised plays and cabarets, transforming public streets into galleries and democratizing art. Produced around 1893, it reflects the cultural fervor of fin-de-siècle Paris, where theater stars like Bernhardt were celebrities, blending high art with popular entertainment. Measuring about 15 x 12 inches, this print from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection invites visitors to glimpse a bygone era's glamour. Lautrec's unflinching gaze on performers humanized the stage, making icons like Bernhardt feel intimately alive. A testament to his legacy in prints and drawings. (198 words)

About the Artist

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec|L'Escarmouche · 1864–1901

Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Montfa (1864-1901) was a French Post-Impressionist painter, printmaker, and illustrator whose innovative poster designs revolutionized graphic art and advertising in late 19th-century Paris. Born into an aristocratic family at Albi in southern France, Toulouse-Lautrec's privileged lineage traced back to the Counts of Toulouse and extended uninterrupted to th...