Study of a Woman

The work Study of a Woman by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French, 1864-1901, is a masterful example of the print medium, executed as a color lithograph on cream wove paper in 1893. This piece highlights the artist’s characteristic focus on the human figure, rendered with an immediacy and expressive use of line that defined the Post-Impressionist era. The delicate application of color, achieved through the complex lithographic process, suggests volume and light while maintaining a sense of graphic spontaneity.

Created during the height of the artist’s career in France, this print belongs to a significant body of work where Toulouse-Lautrec elevated the status of graphic arts from commercial application to fine art. His sophisticated technique in color lithography allowed for rich tonal variations and fluid draftsmanship, making his prints highly influential in fin-de-siècle Parisian visual culture. Unlike many of his grand posters depicting cabaret life, the study offers a quiet, observational perspective, focusing intently on the demeanor and posture of the sitter rather than a theatrical narrative.

This exceptional example of the artist’s mastery of the print classification is preserved in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The work remains a key artifact demonstrating Toulouse-Lautrec’s pioneering approach to the reproductive arts. As this specific piece, categorized under the print classification, is often referenced in scholarly texts, high-quality images of such important historical works are frequently made available for educational use, often entering the public domain to ensure broad access to the heritage of French graphic arts.