In excellent condition, with strong, fresh colors, printed on a full sheet. Lautrec's interest in the world of the theater began in the autumn of 1893. The plays Une Faillite (A Bankruptcy) by Bjšrnstjerne Bjšrnson and Le Poete et le Financier (The Poet and the Financier) by Maurice Vaucaire had been playing at the Théâtre Libre since November 8th. The color lithograph, which was printed by Eugene Varneau, Paris, was modeled on a painting that shows a scene in the Rue des Moulins brothel. The Théâtre Libre on the Rue Pigalle, which was directed from 1887 to 1896 by the actor André Antoine, had a pioneering program of naturalistic works. In addition to Lautrec, Antoine also commissioned Willette, Signac, Vuillard, Ibels, Charpentier, Auriol and Riviere to design programs. He also exhibited works by Seurat, Signac, and Van Gogh in the foyer of the theater.

Printed after the addition of the letterpress program text, from the edition of unknown size (probably several hundred, apart from the deluxe edition of 100 printed prior to the addition of the program text). Published by the Théâtre Libre as the program for the plays Une Faillite and Le Poete et le Financier; printed by Eugene Varneau, Paris.

Signed on the stone with the artist's monogram device lower right.

A fine impression of Wittrock's second and final state, Adriani's third and final state.

Delteil 14; Adhémar 40; Wittrock 15 ii/ii; Adriani 40 iii/iii

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