TOULOUSE-LAUTREC, Henri de
 
Clownesse Assise (Mademoiselle CHA-U-KA-O); published by, The Toulouse-Lautrec Circle, London in 1969.
 
Description
 
Colour lithograph on handmade Lana wove paper. Hand numbered 1179/1250 in pencil to the lower right margin, alongside the embossed blind stamp of the Toulouse-Lautrec Circle. Watermarked ‘TL 1969’ along the lower left edge. A fine example, without fading or colour loss.
Printed using a multi-stone lithographic overlay on handmade paper from the historic Papeterie de Lana mills in France.
The lithograph depicts Mademoiselle CHA-U-KA-O, a famous dancer and performer at the Moulin Rouge and the Nouveau Cirque. She chose a traditionally male profession (clowning) and was openly lesbian. She became one of Lautrec's favourite, most celebrated muses.
While other depictions of CHA-U-KA-U show her wild, acrobatic performances, La Clownesse assise is powerful because it captures her off stage. Slumped on a bench in her collar and yellow costume, her expression is weary and deeply human, showing the real person behind the performer.
Sheet, 52.1x40.0cm; external, 60.7x48cm.
Framed and glazed with UV-resistant art glass.