Filling a Tub, from "Elles" (1896, Met-Objekt 916)
Original title: Filling a Tub, from "Elles"
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made 'Filling the Washbasin' in 1896 as part of his 'Elles' series, which is devoted to the lives of prostitutes. The print shows a woman bending over a washstand in a sparsely furnished room to fill a glass. It was printed in five colors on wove paper.
Description
The woman, in a dark dress, wears her hair tied back in a ponytail. She leans over the washstand as she fills a glass. A window behind her lets in light and reveals part of a flower. On the windowsill sit a clock and another object that is hard to identify. The floor appears red, the walls stay neutral, and the overall palette remains restrained.
Context
The 'Elles' series, made in 1896, offers glimpses into the daily lives of prostitutes in Parisian brothels that Toulouse-Lautrec frequented. Originally planned as a commercial venture, the lithograph only sold successfully later on. For the series, the artist used a new color technique that allows an intimate and unguarded view of the women.
Impact
A calm, almost familiar mood pervades the print, brought about by the incoming window light and muted colors. The everyday task appears without dramatization, giving the image a documentary closeness. The restrained palette and clear lines direct the viewer's attention to the figure and her surroundings.
Technique
This work was made using lithography, printed in five colors on wove paper. In this process, the motif is drawn with greasy chalk on a limestone block and then treated with water and ink. Toulouse-Lautrec employed the technique to achieve the fine lines and soft shading typical of his style.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)