Washing, from "Elles"

*Washing, from "Elles" by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, is a key print from the celebrated 1896 portfolio focusing on the intimate, daily lives of women working in Parisian brothels. This piece is executed as a crayon lithograph, utilizing an innovative two-color printing process that renders the scene in subtle tones of olive-brown and blue upon wove paper. The medium itself highlights Toulouse-Lautrec's technical mastery, showcasing his ability to employ the expressive qualities of the crayon line to capture nuanced forms and atmosphere.

The subject matter offers a rare glimpse into a moment of private routine. Unlike the often idealized or allegorized female nudes found in traditional fine art, this work depicts a woman engaged in the vulnerable and necessary act of self-care. The artist observed his subjects with a distinctive empathy, focusing on their human experiences rather than sensationalizing their environment or occupation. By centering the series Elles on the mundane, such as dressing, waiting, and washing, Toulouse-Lautrec elevated these marginalized figures to subjects of serious, unvarnished artistic inquiry.

This powerful lithograph is recognized as a cornerstone of fin-de-siècle printmaking, solidifying Toulouse-Lautrec's reputation as a pioneer of modern graphic art. The print, which powerfully captures the female nudes in a quiet moment of repose, resides in the extensive collection of prints and drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a work of significant historical importance, the piece often features in programs making museum-quality artwork available through public domain initiatives.