Artwork
Elles
Elles is a print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Between 1892 and 1895 Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec created a series of ten color lithographs, plus a frontispiece and cover, collectively titled *Elles*. Commissioned by the Parisian publisher Gustave Pellet, the set was intended to appeal to a broader clientele, yet it sold poorly at the time of its release.
Subject & Meaning
The prints focus on women who worked in Parisian maisons closes, presenting them in moments of private routine rather than as erotic objects. Lautrec depicts scenes such as a mother serving breakfast to her child, women bathing, combing hair, or simply resting, emphasizing their fatigue, boredom, and isolation while granting them a quiet dignity.
Technique & Style
Executed in color lithography, the series showcases Lautrec’s characteristic fluid line work and bold, flat areas of pigment. The compositions balance simplicity of form with subtle tonal variations, allowing the viewer to sense the dim interiors and the intimate atmosphere without overt dramatization.
History & Provenance
Gustave Pellet, seeking to expand his market, commissioned the series, but the lack of overt sensuality contributed to its initial commercial failure. Over time, the prints have been re‑evaluated for their empathetic portrayal of marginalized women and are now held in major collections, including the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
At the turn of the century, depictions of prostitutes were common in popular media, yet Lautrec was the first prominent artist to treat the subject with a sympathetic, observational approach. His extended stays in brothels—living among the women rather than as a patron—allowed him to capture everyday moments rarely seen by outsiders.
Artist & collection
Artist
Comte Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Montfa (24 November 1864 – 9 September 1901), known as Toulouse-Lautrec (French: ), was a French painter, printmaker, draughtsman, caricaturist, and illustrator.
