Woman Waking Up in Bed (Femme Couchée, Réveil)

Woman Waking Up in Bed (Femme Couchée, Réveil) is an evocative lithograph in olive green, created in 1896 by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in collaboration with printer Auguste Clot and publisher Gustave Pellet. This work is a premier example of graphic art produced during the French Period 1876 to 1900, capturing the intimate, unvarnished aspects of modern life that defined Lautrec's revolutionary approach to subject matter. The subtle monochrome palette, achieved through the specialized lithographic technique, contributes to the subdued, early morning atmosphere of the scene.

The composition focuses intensely on a sole figure, observed at the moment of transition from sleep to wakefulness. Lautrec eschewed the idealized form, choosing instead to portray the woman in a natural, somewhat languid posture as she begins to stir. This piece belongs to a series of prints where the artist studied women in private settings, emphasizing psychological observation and the quiet, often overlooked routines of domestic life. Lautrec's skill lies in his ability to convey deep mood and psychological presence using an economy of line and broad fields of color, characteristics that profoundly influenced subsequent generations of printmakers.

The quality of the final print reflects the sophisticated partnership with Clot, whose mastery of the medium allowed Lautrec to push the boundaries of texture and tonal graduation. As publisher, Pellet was instrumental in promoting these progressive prints, ensuring their visibility within the Parisian art world and beyond. This powerful example of French printmaking, characterized by its naturalism and technical excellence, is classified as a print within the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The historic importance of the work means that high-resolution images are often available through public domain initiatives, allowing wide access to Lautrec's legacy as a graphic artist.