Réjane and Galipaux, in Madame Sans-Géne

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant theater scene of 1893, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec captured the dynamic duo of actors Gabrielle Réjane and Galipaux in his crayon lithograph *Réjane and Galaux, in Madame Sansêne*. This intimate print, measuring just over 12 by 10 inches on delicate Japan paper, depicts the stars mid-performance in the popular play *Madame Sans-Gêne* by Victorien Sardou and Émile Moreau, a comedic drama set during the Napoleonic era. Lautrec, printed in collaboration with Édouard Kleinmann, freezes their energetic dance, highlighting the charisma of Réjane—one of France's leading actresses—and her co-star amid swirling movement. Toulouse-Lautrec, a master of Post-Impressionist printmaking, elevated the poster and lithograph to fine art, chronicling Belle Époque nightlife and theater with bold lines, expressive distortion, and a keen eye for human vitality. His crayon technique allowed for rich tonal variations and immediacy, making this "only state" edition a rare gem. Produced during the height of Montmartre's cabaret culture, the work reflects Paris's obsession with celebrity performers, blending satire and celebration. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Scofield Thayer, 1982), this print invites us to glimpse the footlights' glow, where art and entertainment danced as one.

About the Artist

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec|Edouard Kleinmann · 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...