Henri Boutet’s artwork epitomizes the genre “La Parisienne.” From simple shop girls to elegant, sophisticated ladies, Boutet captured their common qualities of coquettishness and femininity, to the point where he was nicknamed “le Petit Maître au Corset” (the Master of the Corset)!

Boutet was amongst the most gifted of that group of French painters and printmakers which found its inspiration in the life of the cafes, the restaurants and the streets of Paris in the last years of the 19th century and has come to be known as the “artist-reporters.”

Boutet’s initial success came from his portrayals of beautiful women using fine printing techniques such as etching, drypoint and engraving. These fine prints were often limited editions of twenty images. As he became successful, Boutet changed the direction of his work to appeal to a broader market. He applied his illustrative genius to commercial graphics such as magazines, menus and almanacs that are highly collectable today.

Boutet’s images sensitively but candidly capture the charm and frivolities of Paris during La Belle Époque.