Artwork
Henri-Gabriel Ibels (1867–1936)
Henri-Gabriel Ibels (1867–1936) is an unspecified painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
This painting is a portrait of a man, likely Henri-Gabriel Ibels, created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1892.
This painting is a portrait of a man, likely Henri-Gabriel Ibels, created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1892. The man is depicted wearing a hat and a coat, with a subtle smile on his face. He is shown from the chest up, with his head turned slightly to the right. The background of the painting is a muted color, which helps to focus attention on the subject.
The man's facial expression is calm and introspective, with a hint of amusement in his eyes. His hat is pulled low over his forehead, adding to the sense of quiet contemplation. The overall effect of the painting is one of understated elegance and refinement.
To learn more about the artist behind this portrait, look up Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864–1901).
History & Provenance
The portrait of Henri-Gabriel Ibels was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1892. This painting, classified as a portrait genre work, depicts the artist Henri-Gabriel Ibels as its main subject. The work is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While specific details regarding the original commission or the immediate chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are not detailed in the provided records, the inception date is firmly established as 1892. The painting measures 52.1 cm in height and 39.4 cm in width. The artwork remains a significant example of Toulouse-Lautrec's portraiture from the early 1890s, capturing the likeness of his contemporary within the French art world.
The portrait is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Its accession number is 1996.403. The work was included in the exhibition “Toulouse-Lautrec in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” held at the same institution in 1996, where it was shown as a depiction of Henri-Gabriel Ibels.
Overview
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's 1892 painting presents a portrait of Henri-Gabriel Ibels, a contemporary artist. The work captures Ibels from the chest up, his head slightly turned, conveying a sense of calm introspection. Dressed in a hat and coat, his subtle smile and the muted background contribute to an overall impression of understated elegance. This piece exemplifies Toulouse-Lautrec's skill in character study beyond his more boisterous urban scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Henri-Gabriel Ibels, is depicted with a hat pulled low and a coat, his gaze suggesting quiet contemplation. A subtle smile plays on his lips, accompanied by a hint of amusement in his eyes, creating an introspective yet engaging presence. Toulouse-Lautrec emphasizes Ibels's personality through these nuanced facial expressions and posture, inviting viewers to consider the subject's inner world.
Context
Active in late 19th-century Paris, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a key figure in the Post-Impressionist movement. Born into an aristocratic family, his physical development was impacted by adolescent leg injuries. His artistic output often chronicled the vibrant yet sometimes decadent social fabric of the city, focusing on theatrical and marginalized aspects of urban existence, though he also produced more intimate portraits like this one.
Technique & Style
Toulouse-Lautrec employs a muted background in this portrait, intentionally directing the viewer's attention to the subject. The composition, showing Ibels from the chest up with his head slightly turned, enhances this focus. The artist's brushwork subtly renders the textures of the hat and coat, contributing to the painting's refined aesthetic. This approach highlights the subject's quiet dignity, achieving an effect of understated elegance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Comte Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Montfa (24 November 1864 – 9 September 1901), known as Toulouse-Lautrec (French: ), was a French painter, printmaker, draughtsman, caricaturist, and illustrator.
- Program for "Benefice Gemier" (Programme du "Bénéfice Gémier")
Portrait of M. Paul Sescau (Portrait de M. Paul Sescau)
Jane Avril
Retrato de homem com cartola: o poeta Hanvin, o homem do fígaro
Lucien Pissarro
Untitled
Untitled
Jens Thiis (Painting)
Study No. 2: Mr. Thomas Way
Madame Réjane
Untitled
James McNeill Whistler