A Monkey Playing on His Back

A Monkey Playing on His Back by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a captivating graphic work executed in graphite on wove paper, showcasing the artist’s observational skill and swift technique. Created during the height of the artist’s activity between 1880 and 1899, this drawing captures a singular animal subject in a moment of repose or playful distraction. The piece is classified as a French drawing, reflecting the vibrant artistic developments occurring during the period 1876 to 1900.

Unlike the lavish and complex scenes of cabaret life that defined much of Toulouse-Lautrec’s subsequent career in color prints and paintings, this study reveals the foundational strength of his draftsmanship. The artist employs quick, assured graphite strokes to delineate the monkey’s form, emphasizing the texture of its fur and the tension of its body as it lies curled upon its back. The drawing technique prioritizes movement and essential form over meticulous detail, offering insight into the artist’s process of immediate visual transcription.

While Toulouse-Lautrec is generally associated with human subjects, particularly the often marginalized figures of Montmartre, this piece demonstrates his broader interest in life studies. The focus here is purely on the animal’s physical presence and dynamics, serving either as a private study or possibly as a preparatory sketch for a larger composition. This work exemplifies the definitive line and observational acuity that permeated all of Toulouse-Lautrec’s output, regardless of subject.

This important French drawing currently resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., contributing significantly to its holdings of late nineteenth-century works on paper. As a key piece from this era, it is frequently reproduced, benefiting from its age and broad recognition to become part of the available public domain art resources.