Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec,
Le Jockey, a
lithograph
France, AD 1899
This was one of Toulouse-Lautrec's last
lithographs. The publisher Pierrefort intended to issue a portfolio
with a racing theme, but Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) was suffering
acute alcoholic collapse at this time and this was the only print
of the set that was completed. Three further works from the
proposed series survive, but only one of these approaches a
finished
state.
The Jockey was issued in
two editions, first as a monochrome lithograph, and secondly in a
colour version with the addition of five new colour
stones.
The print expresses
the power and pace of the racehorses, rather than the jockeys who
are shown from behind with a total lack of expressive detail.
Toulouse-Lautrec's facility as a draughtsman is clear, as
is his ability to distort and exaggerate in order to create
atmosphere and character, by excessive foreshortening of the
horses' necks in this
lithograph.
The edition was
printed by Lautrec's favourite printer H. Stern, who used a
most unusual Japan paper for this impression.
F. Carey and A. Griffiths, From Manet to Toulouse-Lautrec, exh. cat. (London, The British Museum Press, 1978)
W. Wittrock, Toulouse-Lautrec: the complete (London, Sotheby's Publications, 1985)