Lot 326: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901), Un Cycliste (Jimmy Michael), ca. 1896, pencil on paper, framed 9.5 x 13 cm. (3.7 x 5.1 in.), Frame: 23.5 x 27 cm. (9 1/4 x 10.6 in.)

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901), Un Cycliste (Jimmy Michael), ca. 1896, pencil on paper, framedPreliminary study for the poster 'Cycle Michael' (also in this sale).

Jimmy Michael (1877-1904), the 'Mighty Atom', was a Welsh world cycling champion and one of the top riders in the sport for several years. The first British cyclist to capture a world title, he was known for the signature toothpick he always kept between his teeth.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec drew Michael for a poster advertising the Simpson chain company. Toulouse-Lautrec was a cycling fan and often went to Paris velodromes. He travelled to London in 1896 to make the first sketches of the Welshman before completing them in Paris. Simpson rejected Lautrec's designs because of technical details. Nevertheless, 200 copies of the poster were printed.

Provenance: current owner, Phillips sale 1990 (27 June) lot 13: Ixelles Museum 1973 (28 September - 31 December); Erwin Goldschmidt (1916-1970) collection; Göteborg Konstmuseum 1955 (2-27 September) lot 23; with Vladimir Raykis (1898-1970), Paris; Drouot sale 1947 (9-10 July) lot 9; Maurice Bunau-Varilla (1856-1944) collection.9.5 x 13 cm. (3.7 x 5.1 in.), Frame: 23.5 x 27 cm. (9 1/4 x 10.6 in.)