Washing, from "Elles" (1896, Met-Objekt 821)
Original title: Washing, from "Elles"
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made the lithograph "Washing" in 1896 as part of his series "Elles". It shows a woman from behind at a washbasin. The prostitute scenes in the series are printed in olive-brown and blue on wove paper.
Description
A woman bends over a washbasin, her hair tied in a knot. Two other figures converse in the background. Hatching and lines shape the scene, muted tones in olive-brown and blue. Light falling from the front casts shadows on the woman's back.
Context
The series "Elles" of 1896 shows everyday scenes of prostitutes in Parisian brothels. Toulouse-Lautrec frequented them often and captured intimate, unposed moments. The lithograph was intended for a portfolio of ten sheets that remained unfinished. Félix Vallotton executed the stone drawing; Toulouse-Lautrec is considered the artist of the series.
Impact
The image feels quiet and everyday, without voyeurism. The reduced color palette and loose linework create an intimate, almost documentary mood. The rear view creates distance that emphasizes the privacy of the moment.
Technique
Executed in crayon technique on stone, the lithograph was printed in two colors: olive-brown and blue. Wove paper gives the print a soft, matte surface. Hatching and lines are characteristic of Toulouse-Lautrec's lithographic work.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)