Combing Hair, from "Elles" (1896, Met-Objekt 823)
Original title: Combing Hair, from "Elles"
kurzbeschreibung
Instead of keeping the viewer at a distance or idealizing the subject, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's 1896 lithograph 'Combing Hair' focuses on an ordinary action. Printed in two colors, it combines crayon, brush, and spatter techniques on wove paper. It belongs to the 'Elles' series and shows a woman arranging her long hair.
Description
The woman sits upright and raises her gaze as both hands move through her wavy hair. A simple top covers her shoulders and chest. The background remains bare, with only a flat, undefined area that draws attention to the figure. Soft, even light shapes the texture of the hair and the contours.
Context
In 1896, Toulouse-Lautrec created the 'Elles' series, which portrays the lives of women in brothels. It appeared as a portfolio of lithographs and gathers intimate everyday scenes. At the same time, the artist worked intensively with lithography, which gave him room for experimental processes.
Impact
The print radiates calm and closeness without seeming voyeuristic. The gentle lighting and reduced space direct the eye to the woman's natural movement. This creates a mood of privacy and everyday life.
Technique
The lithograph was printed in two colors on wove paper. Toulouse-Lautrec combined crayon, brush, and spatter techniques to bring out fine textures and details in the hair. The spatter technique gives the print its own surface texture.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)