A Woman and a Man on Horseback

A Woman and a Man on Horseback is an early preparatory drawing created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec between 1879 and 1881. This graphic work utilizes blue crayon and graphite on paper, materials which reflect the artist’s characteristic precision even in preliminary sketches. The restricted palette emphasizes vigorous line and defined form over color, capturing the energy of the moment and the substantial weight of the animals. This period marks the young Lautrec’s immersion in the aristocratic milieu of French equestrian culture, a subject he frequently explored before gaining fame for his scenes of Parisian nightlife.

The composition centers on two figures, a woman and a man, mounted side-by-side on powerful horses. While the exact identities are not stated, the attire and activity suggest a leisure pursuit common among the landed gentry of the time, possibly relating to Lautrec's family circle in Albi. The drawing showcases the artist's developing skill in depicting dynamic motion, a technical foundation he would later adapt to capture the rapid movements of dancers and performers. Toulouse-Lautrec’s early focus on horses and riders places him within the realist traditions established by masters like Edgar Degas, who also prioritized movement studies and candid observation.

This piece offers critical insight into Toulouse-Lautrec’s technical development and early thematic interests in depicting modern life and society. The drawing is held in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. As a historical work now firmly in the public domain, high-quality reference photographs and archival prints are made available, allowing students and researchers worldwide to study the evolution of drawing techniques used by this significant post-Impressionist master.