Woman Combing Her Hair (Femme qui se peigne, La coiffure) from Elles

Woman Combing Her Hair (Femme qui se peigne, La coiffure) from Elles is a singular image selected from a portfolio of twelve lithographs created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896. This work is executed in the medium of lithography, a technique Toulouse-Lautrec championed for its expressive qualities, allowing for velvety blacks and subtle tonal shifts that lend a palpable intimacy to the depicted scene.

This piece belongs to the celebrated Elles series, which marked a decisive shift in the artist's focus, moving away from the raucous, theatrical nightlife of Montmartre and toward the intimate, unidealized depictions of women in private spaces. The portfolio was radical for its time, challenging academic conventions by presenting working women without the typical romanticization or caricature. In this specific composition, Toulouse-Lautrec captures a moment of quiet routine, emphasizing the heavy body and downward gaze of the figure absorbed solely in the act of arranging her hair. The artist’s commitment was not to sensation, but to documenting the psychological weight and quietude inherent in their domestic existence.

The creation date of 1896 places this piece at the height of Toulouse-Lautrec’s mature period, deeply embedding it within the currents of French Post-Impressionism. The portfolio was initially published in limited edition, demonstrating the high artistic value placed on sophisticated graphic arts in turn-of-the-century France. This selection of prints is particularly valued for its narrative restraint and technical mastery. This important work is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Today, as masterworks from this period enter the public domain, they continue to provide vital study material for the history of modern French art.