Can-Can Dancer (from the Moulin Rouge series)
Print on paper, limited edition original lithograph • Marcel Vertès (Hungarian-French, 1895–1961)
Style & Movement
Modernist Illustration / School of Paris (Post-Impressionist influence)
Medium & Technique
Color lithography utilizing crayon and wash techniques to mimic loose sketching. The technique emphasizes gestural lines and soft color blocking.
Creation Period
Circa 1950s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 inches (sight); Portrait format
Subject Description
The work depicts a high-kicking Can-Can dancer at the Moulin Rouge. Vertès, who won two Academy Awards for his work on the 1952 film 'Moulin Rouge', captures the kinetic energy of the cabaret. The composition is minimal and whimsical, focusing on the dancer's silhouette, stockings, and ruffled skirts, with a secondary figure visible in the lower left.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paper exhibits some overall toning consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $700
Auction Estimate
$250 - $500
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a commercial gallery or private collection in the mid-to-late 20th century. Visible hand-signed signature 'Vertès' in the lower right and numbering '52/250' in the lower left.
Art Historical Significance
Vertès is a significant figure in 20th-century fashion illustration and set design. He was instrumental in reviving the visual aesthetic of Belle Époque Paris for mid-century audiences, notably through his collaboration with Elsa Schiaparelli and his award-winning costume/set design for John Huston's film.
Notable Features
Hand-numbered '52/250' and hand-signed by the artist. Includes a commemorative brass nameplate on the matting identifying the artist and the medium as an 'Original Lithograph'.
Condition Issues
Mild light-struck yellowing (toning) across the paper surface; possible minor mat burn along the edges; slight undulation in the paper.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-mount using acid-free, archival materials to prevent further toning. Use UV-protective glazing and keep out of direct sunlight to preserve the fugitive colored inks.