Luce Myrès (Front View)
Original title: Luce Myrès (Front View)
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this lithograph, Luce Myrès (Frontansicht), in 1895. It is a portrait of a pensive woman, executed as a crayon and spatter lithograph printed in sanguine on wove paper.
Description
The sitter keeps her eyes closed and wears a flower in her hair; a fan rests in her hand. Her posture is calm and withdrawn. Behind her lies a blurred, vertically striped area, likely a curtain. The colour range stays monochromatic, from white to a very pale pink, achieved through crayon and spatter technique. Light falls evenly, without noticeable shadows. The style is draughtsmanlike and realistic, focused entirely on the figure and her pose.
Context
In 1895 Toulouse-Lautrec devoted himself intensively to Parisian entertainment culture and its performers. The sitter, Luce Myrès, was an actress and singer who appeared in Montmartre. This print belongs to a series of portraits Lautrec produced for theatre programmes and publicity. Only a single state exists, executed in sanguine, a reddish printing tone.
Impact
The closed eyes and quiet bearing convey an intimate, almost meditative atmosphere. The monochromatic palette and soft contours give the portrait something delicate and vulnerable. The reduced background directs attention entirely to the figure and her inner stillness.
Technique
For this crayon and spatter lithograph, ink or crayon was applied to the stone and combined with a spatter technique. It was printed in sanguine, a reddish hue, on wove paper. Only one state of the print exists, suggesting careful control of the artistic process.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)