Getting Up, from "Elles"

Getting Up, from "Elles" is a seminal lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896. This print, a superb example of fin-de-siècle lithography, was executed using four colors on wove paper, highlighting the artist's dedication to the nuanced possibilities of mass-produced art.

The work belongs to the celebrated portfolio Elles, a remarkable project that moved beyond the typical societal representation of women by documenting the private, un-glamorous moments of those living in Parisian brothels. Toulouse-Lautrec uses an intimate, almost documentary style to capture the subject rising from her bed, perhaps after a night of work. The viewer witnesses a scene of quiet routine and physical exertion, contrasting sharply with the sensationalized and often moralizing depictions of these women common at the time.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s visual vocabulary, utilizing stark, cropped angles and simplified color blocks, reflects the enduring influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints on his practice. Through this approach, the artist grants the women he depicts a powerful, often overlooked psychological presence and rare dignity. As a master of the poster and print medium, Toulouse-Lautrec ensured the broad accessibility of works like Getting Up. The sheet is currently housed within the world-renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, preserving its role as a fundamental piece of late 19th-century French graphic arts.