Collapsed on the Bed, from "Elles"

"Collapsed on the Bed, from "Elles" is a pivotal lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896. This print is one of a series of ten lithographs, collectively known as Elles, which focuses intimately on the private lives of women, often those working in Parisian brothels. Executed with a delicate touch, the work was printed in two colors on wove paper, showcasing the artist's refined mastery of printmaking techniques prevalent in the late 19th century.

The composition captures a deeply personal and vulnerable moment, centering on a woman lying fully clothed and seemingly asleep or deeply resting upon a large bed. Unlike many contemporary depictions of subjects within this environment, Toulouse-Lautrec avoids moralizing or sensationalizing the scene. Instead, the composition emphasizes the ordinary, day-to-day reality of the woman's exhaustion. The lithograph technique allows for broad, expressive lines and subtle shading, defining the contours of the figure and the voluminous bedding, thus highlighting the intimate nature of the domestic space.

The Elles series stands as a landmark achievement in modern French prints, challenging traditional artistic boundaries by portraying marginalized subjects with dignity and psychological depth. This important work reflects Toulouse-Lautrec's dedication to documentary realism during the height of fin-de-siècle Parisian culture. The piece is highly valued for both its historical context and technical execution. This impression of the lithograph is housed in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains a significant reference point for studies of late 19th-century French graphic arts. As a celebrated example of Toulouse-Lautrec’s work, high-quality images of this print are often available in the public domain.