Louise Balthy (From Portraits d'Acteurs & d'Actrices)

c. 1906

9 1/2 x 11 1/2 in /
22.9 x 27.9 cm

Edition of approximately 400 impressions
Printed in black on beige wove paper
Published in the series Treize Lithographies as well as in the portfolio Portraits d'Acteurs & d'Actrices

Louise Balthy (1896-1926) was a remarkably talented performer who trained in ballet but broke into show business with comic songs. By 17, she had secured an engagement at the Eldorado, receiving rave reviews. She also performed at la Scala and the Palais Royal. Lautrec was not the only artist of the time to depict her, as both Jules Cheret and Leonetto Cappiello would use images of her as posters as well as the covers for various French periodicals.

References: Wittrock 256, Adriani 267