Woman at the Tub (Femme au tub) from Elles

Woman at the Tub (Femme au tub) from Elles by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is an iconic example of the artist’s seminal achievements in the realm of 19th-century French printmaking. Created in 1896, this piece is one of twelve original lithographs that constitute the highly acclaimed portfolio Elles. Unlike his vibrant posters documenting the external spectacle of Parisian nightlife, this series offers an intimate, unidealized portrayal of the private domestic sphere, specifically focusing on the lives of women residing in brothels. The selection of the lithographic medium allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to achieve a spontaneous, sketch-like immediacy, utilizing delicate shading and minimal color to capture the texture and atmosphere of the scene.

The composition centers tightly on the figure of a woman, seen from an elevated perspective, seated in a copper tub as she carefully cleans her neck and shoulders. This elevated vantage point emphasizes the enclosed, isolated nature of the space and focuses attention entirely on the figure’s absorbed posture. Toulouse-Lautrec avoids the grand traditions of the academic nude, instead presenting an unsentimentalized, candid moment of routine self-care. The subject’s naturalism and the softness of the lithographic technique distinguish this work, removing any sense of voyeurism and replacing it with respectful observation. This approach aligns the work with the growing interest in realist and naturalist themes that characterized French art during the late fin de siècle.

Produced toward the end of the artist’s life in 1896, Woman at the Tub (Femme au tub) showcases Toulouse-Lautrec’s dedication to documenting all facets of contemporary life, irrespective of social convention. The Elles portfolio solidified the artist’s reputation as a master printer, capable of expressing profound psychological depth through technical mastery of the stone. This work remains crucial for scholars studying the history of prints and works on paper, representing a pivotal moment where reproductive techniques were elevated to independent artistic expression. This specific piece is included in the distinguished collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York.