Filling a Tub, from "Elles"

Filling a Tub, from "Elles" by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a key example of the artist's masterful graphic output from the final years of the nineteenth century. Created in 1896, this print is a sophisticated lithograph printed in five colors on wove paper, demonstrating the highly experimental nature of late 19th-century French printmaking. The work is part of Toulouse-Lautrec’s celebrated series Elles (She/Them), a portfolio of eleven lithographs that offered unromanticized, intimate views into the daily lives of women working in Parisian brothels.

Unlike earlier depictions of women in French art that often idealized or moralized the subjects, Toulouse-Lautrec adopted a purely observational perspective, viewing these domestic moments with empathy rather than judgment. Filling a Tub captures a woman engaged in a simple, unguarded routine, emphasizing the physical labor involved in filling a large basin. The composition utilizes simplified forms and bold contours typical of the artist’s graphic designs, yet retains a delicate color harmony achieved through careful registration of the five distinct colors. This lithograph cemented Toulouse-Lautrec's reputation as a pivotal figure who bridged fine art and commercial graphic design through his innovative approach to prints.

The Elles series represented a significant departure from conventional Salon art, prioritizing the direct, unflinching study of women in their private spheres. The medium of prints allowed these groundbreaking images to reach a wider audience than traditional paintings. This specific impression of the lithograph resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a crucial document of fin-de-siècle Parisian life and the evolution of modern art. While the original edition of these prints is highly sought after, the historical significance of Toulouse-Lautrec's work ensures its continuous study, with many high-resolution images now available through public domain resources.