May Belfort

(After) Henri de Toulouse Lautrec (1864-1901, France.) "May Belfort" (1966) - The Belle Epoque image was originally created in 1895 by Lautrec as a poster to advertise Irish singer, May Belfort, at the Petit Casino in Paris. This lithograph contains a plate-monogram, title, the number XVI, and identifies the publisher, "Edw. Ancourt, Paris" within the matrix. It is taken from the Mourlot Freres book "The Posters of Toulouse-Lautrec," printed at Mourlot Press, Paris, France 1966. The unframed work of art measures 13.5" x 10.5".

The Irish singer, May Belfort, worked in London music halls before arriving in Paris in January 1895. Her slightly disturbing and thinly-veiled erotic act was performed wearing the dress of a little girl with large puffed sleeves and an enormous bonnet. Often she clutched a cat which referred to her most famous song, 'Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow' and lyrics, "I've got a little cat - I'm very find of that..."

Lautrec's poster won a prize in 1896 at the International Poster Exhibition held in Rheims. The work reflects the atmosphere of the cafe concerts, brothels and Paris night life, with a strong influence from Japanese art that was fashionable at the time.

References: Wittrock, P14Biii; Adriani, 126iv/v; D. 354

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Work in Music