Elles (portfolio cover) (1896, Met-Objekt 906)
Original title: Elles (portfolio cover)
kurzbeschreibung
This title page for the portfolio 'Elles' was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896. It features a woman in elegant attire with a hat, and behind her a seated figure. The print is a lithograph in brown on Japan paper.
Description
A standing woman in a long dress shimmering with blue and white holds an orange hat, lifting it slightly. Her posture is light and upright, conveying a sense of freedom. Behind her sits a person in a white suit with a brown top hat, gazing at the standing woman. The layout is asymmetrical, drawing the eye to the woman. Brown and blue tones dominate, and the light appears soft and flowing.
Context
In 1896, Toulouse-Lautrec assembled the portfolio 'Elles', a series of lithographs about the lives of women in brothels and their private surroundings. It emerged as the artist was making Parisian nightlife famous with posters and prints. The edition numbered 100 copies, and the series marks a turn toward intimate insights rather than the often caricatured view.
Impact
From the first glance, the calm, elegant mood and the harmonious brown-blue palette captivate. The woman's dynamic pose lends the image lightness, while the connection to the seated figure builds a quiet tension.
Technique
For this print, Toulouse-Lautrec used lithography, executed with crayon, brush, and spatter technique on the stone. It was printed in brown on Japan paper; the first state of three is present. This method allows soft transitions and nuanced tonal gradation.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)