Your Mouth (from Les Vieilles Histoires) (1893, Met-Objekt 886)
Original title: Your Mouth (from Les Vieilles Histoires)
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made the lithograph 'Dein Mund' in 1893, printed in olive-green on japan paper. It shows a woman leaning back in a relaxed pose, captured with loose, sketchy strokes. Only a single state of this print exists.
Description
A female figure rests on a bench or similar seat. Her arms are slightly raised, and she gazes upward, suggesting a thoughtful or serene attitude. Strong contours meet contrasting tonal values, while the background is hinted at only by a few flowing lines. The layout centers on the figure, which forms the undisputed focal point.
Context
The sheet was made in 1893, when Toulouse-Lautrec was gaining attention in Paris with posters and prints. It belongs to the series 'Les Vieilles Histoires', which draws on literary sources. It was printed on japan paper, a support prized at the time for high-quality editions.
Impact
The subdued olive-green color and the sketchy linework give the sheet a calm, intimate mood. Through the relaxed pose and the upward gaze, the central figure appears pensive and detached. Because the motif remains so simple, the print's lines and flatness come to the fore.
Technique
This sheet is a lithograph, its printing stone pulled in olive-green on japan paper. Only the single state of the print is known, pointing to a limited or immediate edition. The process allows fine, flowing lines, typical of the sketchy character.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)