"May Milton", c.1895, very rare original color lithograph by master Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec; from the edition of only 100 impressions published during Lautrec’s life. NOT a modern reproduction. Most of these lithographs are in museums like the MET, National Galleries and private collections as seen in photos.

This is an original lithograph printed in five colors (blue, red, yellow, black, olive-green) on wove poster paper, and mounted to linen many years ago for conservation. The colors are very fresh considering the age. In most impressions the pink color has been totally faded or gone. There are slight printer’s creases in the paper as seen in photos, which is typical of any of these original lithographs. This particular piece is in good condition given the age. The lithograph is signed with the artist’s monogram and dated on the stone lower left. A fine impression of Wittrock’s state “B” ( of C), Adriani’s second and final state (after the removal of the remarque, a banjo-playing clown in black face, from the lower right corner of the stone) of this apparently very scarce poster, From the edition specifically recorded by both Jean Adhémar (1965) and Götz Adriani (1988) in their respective catalogues raisonné as being only 100 impressions in this state (apart from the edition of 25 before the removal of the remarque, and the four known trail proofs recorded by Wittrock). Commissioned by May Milton; printed by Edward Ancourt.Catalog: Delteil 356; Adhemar 194; Wittrock P17; Adriani 134

Framed Size: 43 x 36.5 inches

Sheet/Image Size: 31 3/8 x 24 3/4 inches

In 2018, I had the piece professionally conserved and deacified, which cost over $800. I also had the artwork archivally framed in museum-quality materials, acid free, lush red suede matting, backing, a Larson-Juhl Italian moudling, as well as a protective UV plexiglass, which cost $1200.00.

The piece also comes with a signed certificate of authenticity (COA), with an appraisal value of $35,000. One gallery is currently asking $35,000 for their May Milton, and most are in museums. 100% guaranteed authentic, this is a museum-quality piece. I have personally sold 2 different May Milton lithographs by Lautrec throughout the years. (Be very careful of later, pixilated reproductions.) In addition, I have many additional photos should you request them. Please email with any questions, thank you.

The National Gallery of Australia has a wonderful video on this rare work which you can view here:

https://nga.gov.au/on-demand/henri-de-toulouse-lautrec-may-milton/

Discussion: Posters grew in popularity after 1881, when many restrictions on their placement were lifted and it became unlawful to remove or destroy them. The first exhibition of posters took place in 1884, and they were soon accepted as a legitimate art form. Lautrec, a gifted draftsman, excelled at designing arresting lithographs. May Milton, one of his boldest compositions, illustrates Lautrec's innovative style based on a dynamic pattern of flat, simplified, brightly colored shapes and dramatic silhouettes. Lautrec, an astute observer of character and physical features, captured the life of a decadent era in his radically concise, vigorous representations. May Milton was an English dancer who appeared at the Moulin Rouge, one of Paris's most popular café-concerts. This poster was made to advertise her tour of the United States.

The English "Miss", May Milton performed for only one season in Paris on a small, undistinguished stage, then departed for New York and was never heard from again. She is remembered entirely because of Lautrec’s art, immortalized as the nightmarish head emerging from the corner of The Art Institute of Chicago’s painting, At the Moulin Rouge (1892-95). May Milton seems to have fallen short of both beauty and talent. Joyant described her as "a pale, clown-like face, rather like that of a bulldog," and Coquiot gave an outrageously offensive critique of Lautrec’s 1895 poster portrait of May, belaboring not so much the work’s artistic quality as the dancer’s mouth. Although he didn’t prettify her, Lautrec designed a riveting blue poster for her tour of the United States, and supposedly intended it to be a pendant to the red poster of her lover, May Belfort. (From Christopher Clark Fine Art)

About me: Aside from being a professional artist, I have been working with original works on paper by 19th and 20th century modern and contemporary masters since 2004, with a focus on the great Salvador Dali. Regarding my fine art background and expertise, I take great pride in any original work on paper that I represent. The fine art world can be overwhelming and there are a lot of false experts, my goal has always been with educating the buyer. I have learned a lot in my nearly 20 years of working with fine art masters, as well as many highly reputable galleries and private dealers. All items I sell have been extensively researched, documented in the official catalogue raisonnes of the artists when applicable, and I provide a signed lifetime guarantee/ certificate of authenticity of the fine art I sell, legally binding me to my word. I stay away from dubious works of art, and if there is a concern I am unaware of I fortunately know the right people to ask. In 2000 after high school I moved from Connecticut to attend the George Washington University and was curator for Galerie Lareuse with expert Jean-Michel Lareuse for 11 years in Georgetown; member of the IFPDA (International Fine Print Dealers Association) specializing in original works on paper by 19th & 20th century masters such as Picasso, Dali, Chagall, Miro, Braque, Renoir, Leger, Matisse, Magritte, Kandinsky, Buffet, Dufy, Lautrec, Calder, Cassatt, Delaunay, Haring, Warhol, Degas, and many others. I oversaw and personally handled hundreds of original works on paper and was tasked with extensive research, appraisals, sales, certification, private acquisitions, as well as museum-quality professional framing. I assisted with transactions involving many prestigious museums and organizations, including a 2006 sale via Galerie Lareuse of Picasso's rare 1912 etching "Nature Morte, Bouteille" to the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, a 2011 sale of Vincent van Gogh's very rare c.1890 etching "Portrait of Dr. Gachet", and a 2012 sale of a unique original gouache drawing by Sonia Delaunay which is now located in The Phillips Collection. I also assisted in the art estate of the late and great Eunice Shriver, and many other private collections in the DC area. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me as I am here to help! Kind regards, Kreg