Cover from Elles

The influential Post-Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created Cover from Elles in 1896. This piece is the leading image for the twelve original lithographs comprising the artist’s renowned portfolio, Elles. Toulouse-Lautrec’s choice of the print medium underscores his innovative approach to disseminating art, favoring the accessible, graphic style he had perfected in French poster design. The technical mastery of the lithograph allowed the artist to achieve varied textures, particularly the deep, velvety blacks and sparse linear quality that captures the somber, yet intimate, mood intended for this series.

The Elles portfolio, executed entirely in 1896, represents a significant and controversial body of work in Toulouse-Lautrec’s oeuvre. Unlike the typical sentimental or moralizing depictions of Parisian subjects prevalent during the late 19th century, this series provided an unflinching, empathetic view into the private lives of women, particularly those living and working in regulated brothels. The artist subverted the standard male gaze by focusing on routine, mundane moments—dressing, bathing, or resting—treating the subjects with a dignity rarely afforded to them by contemporary French artists.

The Cover from Elles itself sets an immediate tone of enclosed domesticity, acting as an invitation into a world hidden from public view. Toulouse-Lautrec, known for his acute observation and fluid draughtsmanship, utilizes simplified forms and bold outlines common in Post-Impressionism, revealing the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints on his graphic style. This graphic work from 1896 stands as a high watermark in the history of modern prints. Today, this key lithograph, along with the complete Elles portfolio, is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ensuring its continued study. Fine art prints of this seminal work are widely accessible through various collections, including those available via public domain initiatives.