Frontispiece from Elles

The Frontispiece from Elles by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a seminal impression from his celebrated suite of the same name, comprising a portfolio of twelve original lithographs created in 1896. This collection represents a pinnacle of graphic art from the fin-de-siècle, capturing the French artist's acute observational skills and his dedication to the unconventional subject matter of Parisian nightlife. The selection of lithography as the medium was deliberate, allowing Toulouse-Lautrec the spontaneity and fluidity required to convey complex psychological states and subtle tonal variations.

The Elles series documents the lives of women working in the authorized brothels of Montmartre. Unlike earlier sensationalized depictions of this world, Toulouse-Lautrec sought authenticity, portraying the women in mundane, unglamorous moments: washing, dressing, or in simple repose. The Frontispiece from Elles introduces the viewer to this intimate world with a characteristic blend of empathy and detachment, setting the subdued, often melancholy tone for the entire portfolio. The composition reflects the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints on Western art, utilizing flattened perspectives, sharp cropping, and an economical use of line that became the hallmark of Toulouse-Lautrec’s mature style.

As a print classified within the medium of lithographs, the work demonstrates the artist's role in elevating commercial printmaking to the status of high art. The production of the portfolio in 1896 secured the work's historical importance within late 19th-century French culture. This specific impression is recognized internationally and is held in the prestigious permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The piece remains a crucial reference for scholars studying the social history of the period and the evolution of modern graphic arts.