Woman Washing—The Toilet, plate five from Elles

Woman Washing—The Toilet, plate five from Elles is a highly significant color lithograph created in 1896 by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. This influential piece belongs to the Elles series, a frank and intimate collection depicting the daily lives of women within Parisian brothels. The series marks a pinnacle in the artist's graphic output, utilizing the complex technique of color lithography on ivory wove paper. The print was published by Gustave Pellet and likely printed by Auguste Clot, key collaborators who helped popularize Toulouse-Lautrec’s unique style across France.

Toulouse-Lautrec employs broad strokes of color and striking compositional angles, characteristic of his modern approach to prints. In this scene, the artist captures a moment of domestic privacy, showing a woman engrossed in her ablutions, turning the often-sensationalized subject matter into a quiet study of routine. The focus on private, unguarded moments reflects the influence of Japanese woodblock prints on Post-Impressionist art. The work is notable for its muted palette and the sophisticated layering achieved through the specialized printing process, demonstrating the technical virtuosity of the collaborators involved in the production of the Elles album.

This definitive impression of Woman Washing—The Toilet is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a cornerstone example of French Post-Impressionist prints. As a seminal work from the late 19th-century graphic revival, the critical contribution of Toulouse-Lautrec to modern art is undeniable. Due to its age and significance, high-quality images of this masterpiece are often widely available through public domain resources, ensuring accessibility for scholars and enthusiasts worldwide.