Étude de Femme

Étude de Femme is a compelling lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. Executed with technical mastery, this print exemplifies the artist's dedication to the graphic arts revolution occurring in France during the fin-de-siècle. Toulouse-Lautrec embraced the medium of lithography, valued for its immediacy and capacity for rich tonal variations, allowing him to capture the nuanced expressions and postures of his subjects outside the formal constraints of traditional painting.

The work, titled simply Étude de Femme (Study of a Woman), reveals Toulouse-Lautrec’s characteristic focus on the human figure rather than idealized portraiture. During the 1890s, he routinely documented the dancers, performers, and intimate residents of Montmartre, often using rapid sketches and preparatory studies to inform his larger works. While the exact identity of the sitter in this study is unknown, the piece exhibits the expressive line work and psychological depth that became the hallmark of Toulouse-Lautrec's mature style. The artist excelled at conveying the interior life of his models through minimal details, reflecting a modern sensibility toward portraiture.

As a highly influential figure in graphic art, Toulouse-Lautrec’s prints are held in major collections globally. This specific impression of Étude de Femme demonstrates the exceptional quality of his printmaking and is currently preserved in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Access to high-resolution images of such historic works often falls under public domain guidelines, ensuring the widespread study of this significant French masterwork.