1959 May Belfort Lithograph, After Henry De Toulouse-Lautrec

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Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec — May Belfort, 1895

Vintage 1959 Stone Lithograph | Belle Époque Paris | Elegantly Framed

An evocative … Read more Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec — May Belfort, 1895

Vintage 1959 Stone Lithograph | Belle Époque Paris | Elegantly Framed

An evocative celebration of Parisian nightlife at the height of the Belle Époque, this generously scaled vintage stone lithograph reproduces Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's iconic 1895 portrait of the English cabaret performer May Belfort—one of the most memorable personalities of fin-de-siècle Montmartre.

Printed in 1959 on substantial vellum paper, the lithograph captures the unmistakable graphic brilliance of Toulouse-Lautrec's original composition: its striking economy of line, distinctive color relationships, and extraordinary ability to transform a theatrical personality into an enduring image of modern art.

The Woman Behind the Image

May Belfort was a celebrated English chanteuse whose performances delighted and scandalized Parisian audiences during the 1890s. Appearing onstage in an exaggeratedly innocent costume, often carrying a black kitten, she performed her signature song, Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow-Wow, with an apparently childlike sweetness that concealed a distinctly provocative double entendre.

The contrast between innocence and sophistication was central to Belfort's stage persona—and precisely the kind of theatrical contradiction that fascinated Toulouse-Lautrec.

Belfort also moved within the unconventional artistic and social circles of Montmartre and was romantically linked to fellow English performer May Milton, another of Toulouse-Lautrec's celebrated subjects.

Lautrec portrayed Belfort repeatedly, recognizing in her a captivating embodiment of the wit, eccentricity, and irreverent spirit of Parisian cabaret culture.

An Enduring Image of the Belle Époque

Toulouse-Lautrec revolutionized the visual language of modern advertising and graphic art. His celebrated depictions of performers, dancers, and entertainers transformed the fleeting spectacle of Parisian nightlife into images of remarkable artistic sophistication.

May Belfort remains a particularly engaging example of this achievement—an image that is simultaneously theatrical, intimate, playful, and unmistakably Parisian.

This 1959 lithographic printing preserves the visual character of the celebrated 1895 composition while offering the appeal of a substantial mid-century vintage work on paper.

Presentation & Condition

The lithograph is printed on heavy vellum paper with a richly textured printed surface. It bears a signature reproduced in the stone at the upper left and an additional stamped signature at the lower right.

Recently reframed with conservation-quality materials, the work is presented in an understated, elegant period-style frame that complements the composition without competing with its distinctive visual character.

Very good vintage condition, with minor creasing consistent with age and handling.

Details

Artist: After Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864–1901)

Title: May Belfort

Original Composition: 1895

Printing Date: 1959

Medium: Stone lithograph on heavy vellum paper

Sheet Size: Approximately 28 × 22 inches

Framed Size: Approximately 32 × 26½ inches

Markings: Signature in the stone, upper left; stamped signature, lower right

Condition: Very good vintage condition

Framing: Recently reframed with conservation-quality materials

A Distinctive Addition to a Curated Interior

With its generous proportions, remarkable cultural history, and enduring graphic appeal, May Belfort makes a sophisticated statement in both traditional and contemporary interiors.

Equally compelling in a Parisian-inspired salon, a richly layered eclectic interior, or a carefully curated modern space, this vintage lithograph brings together the glamour of nineteenth-century Montmartre and the timeless appeal of Toulouse-Lautrec's artistry.

An engaging work for admirers of French art, Belle Époque culture, vintage lithography, and exceptional decorative prints. See less