The Facts
On May 19, 2026, Artcurial announced it will auction a rare set of five colour lithograph trial proofs by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec on May 20, 2026, at 5pm, as part of its "Editions and Multiples" sale. The proofs depict a prostitute named Marie-Clémence, an Austrian model who lived in Paris in the late 19th century. The works were originally destroyed by the artist after he completed the final signed impression, then later reassembled and mounted on wove paper. They have remained in the same European collection since being acquired in 1978 at the Charell auction in London.
The Signal
The sale highlights Toulouse-Lautrec's innovative approach to lithography, influenced by Pierre Bonnard and Japanese art, with bold outlines and matte colours. Marie-Clémence, shown descending a staircase bareheaded, is portrayed without moral judgment—a departure from typical contemporary depictions of prostitutes. The proofs also reflect the artist's technical skill, combining pencil work with pipette-applied colour. The auction will include works by Pierre Soulages, Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, and Francis Bacon, offering a broad survey of modern and contemporary multiples. For collectors, this presents a rare opportunity to acquire a historically significant and intact set of proofs from a pivotal moment in printmaking.
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- Artists: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre Bonnard, Pierre Soulages, Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, Francis Bacon
- People: Marie-Clémence
- Auction Houses: Artcurial
- Museums: Musée Toulouse-Lautrec
- Locations: Paris, London
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