Combing Hair, from "Elles"

Combing Hair, from "Elles" is a landmark lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896. This piece belongs to his revolutionary portfolio Elles, a series dedicated to depicting the intimate, unidealized daily lives of women working in Parisian brothels. Rather than presenting sensationalized or moralistic views, Toulouse-Lautrec focused on moments of quiet domesticity and labor, establishing a new candor in representing the private sphere. The classification as a print underscores the artist's dedication to the graphic arts, a medium through which he profoundly influenced modern advertising and illustration in late nineteenth-century France.

In this specific work, two women are captured in a private moment: one seated figure is meticulously combing the long, flowing hair of another. The focus on the arrangement of hair becomes central to the composition, highlighting the physical intimacy and routine of shared space among the subjects. Toulouse-Lautrec utilized the constraints of the lithograph medium expertly; the work is printed in only two colors on wove paper, relying on simple lines and broad, flat planes of color to define form. This restrained palette enhances the sense of melancholy and quiet observation characteristic of the artist's mature period.

The radical honesty displayed in Combing Hair, from "Elles" cemented Toulouse-Lautrec's reputation as a masterful chronicler of fin-de-siècle Paris. This iconic print is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a key example of Post-Impressionist graphic art. While the original lithograph is a rare and important artifact, the broad influence of the Elles series means that high-quality prints and references to the imagery are often encountered in public domain collections, ensuring this candid portrayal of women remains accessible for study and appreciation.