Danse Excentrique

1894

5 1/4 x 7 3/8 in /
12.7 x 17.8 cm

Single edition of 200 impressions
Printed in black on wove paper
Printed by Ancourt
Published by Depeche de Toulouse in Catalogue de l'Esposition de la ‘Depeche de Toulouse' with 16 lithographs by other artists 
EXTREMELY RARE

The lithograph appeared in the second half of May 1894, in a catalogue financed by Arthur Huc-Catalogue de l'Exposition de la Depeche de Toulouse illustre de 17 lithographies originales-available at a cost of one franc. It was for a group exhibition organized by Huc in the entrance hall of La Depeche de Toulouse-a journal based in Toulouse that commissioned posters by Lautrec-and which also includes lithographs by Anquetin, Ibels, Vuillard, Maurice Denis and others. Huc's effort here to introduce the Paris avant-garde to the provinces met with little notice, especially as the conservative population of Toulouse was almost entirely ignorant of and resistant to modern art.

Given that Lautrec was a native of Toulouse, Huc asked him to contribute a print to the exhibition catalogue. Offering Danse excentrique (Strange Dance), Lautrec did not hesitate to thumb his nose at the bourgeois values held dear by the locals. At first glance, the print is a discreet rear view of a cancan dancer holding her abundant white petticoats high up in front of her face. However, Lautrec left no ambiguity about what she was exhibiting since close in front of her, almost hidden by the ruffles, is the profile of a man in a top hat, viewing the spectacle beneath her lifted undergarments.

References: Wittrock 60, Adriani 72, Frey 367