Description
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec – Eros Vanné (Eros Vanquished), Original Song Sheet Lithograph
This original crayon lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Eros Vanné (also known as Eros Vanquished), was created as an illustrated song sheet for the chanson by Maurice Donnay, performed by Yvette Guilbert. Executed in Lautrec’s unmistakable linear style, the composition captures the wry theatricality of Parisian café-concert culture in the late 19th century.
At the center stands a weary, bandaged Cupid—his broken wing and crutch symbolizing defeated love—rendered with both humor and pathos. Behind him, elegantly dressed women occupy the social space of the cabaret, reflecting Lautrec’s sustained engagement with performers, nightlife, and modern urban psychology. The economy of line and expressive distortion exemplify his mastery of lithographic draftsmanship.
Printed as a song sheet and signed in the stone with Lautrec’s monogram, the work is catalogued as Delteil 139, Wittrock 134, and Adriani 32 III. Song sheets from this series are notably scarce, with Eros Vanné among the more difficult examples to acquire in strong condition.
Printer / Edition: Original period lithograph (late 19th century), signed in the stone
References: Delteil 139; Wittrock 134; Adriani 32 III
Format: Illustrated chanson sheet (black and white crayon lithograph)
Presented in a 16 x 20 inch acid-free archival museum mat, the work represents a significant intersection of fine art and popular culture, underscoring Lautrec’s role in shaping the visual language of the Belle Époque.
This original Toulouse-Lautrec Eros Vanné lithograph (Delteil 139; Wittrock 134) is a rare Belle Époque song sheet created for Maurice Donnay and associated with Yvette Guilbert. Executed in Lautrec’s signature crayon lithographic style, it reflects the artist’s exploration of performance, satire, and modern Parisian life.
Produced for ephemeral use, song sheets of this type survive in comparatively small numbers. As a result, Eros Vanné (Eros Vanquished) remains one of the more difficult Lautrec lithographs to acquire in strong condition.
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