Jeanne, prends sans qu'on te voie . . .
Original title: Jeanne, prends sans qu'on te voie . . . , from Le Rire, No. 129, 24 April 1897
kurzbeschreibung
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this lithograph in 1897 for the magazine 'Le Rire' (no. 129, 24 April 1897). The image measures 25 × 22 cm and the sheet 42 × 31.9 cm; it presents an everyday indoor scene with several figures.
Description
In the foreground a woman in a green coat sits holding a cup, her gaze relaxed and turned to the side. Close beside her stands someone in an orange top looking at the seated woman. Behind them two uniformed figures are in conversation. A plant and suggested pieces of furniture place the action indoors. Green, orange and grey dominate the pastel palette; the light falls evenly, without harsh shadows.
Context
This lithograph was created for the satirical weekly 'Le Rire'. It was part of a sheet that appealed to an urban audience interested in Parisian nightlife and social types. By this time Toulouse-Lautrec was already well known for his posters and prints. The ironic title suits the magazine's style, which presented everyday scenes with a wink.
Impact
The loose arrangement and pastel tones make the print appear casual and unobtrusive, like a fleeting moment. The relaxed posture of the figures and the light irony of the title evoke an amused yet detached mood. As a viewer you observe a seemingly random scene that nevertheless hints at a subtle social dynamic.
Technique
For this lithograph Toulouse-Lautrec drew with greasy chalk on a stone, from which it was then printed. He often used this planographic method for magazine illustrations and posters because it reproduces lines and areas quickly yet with nuance. Several printing layers produced the pastel shades.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)