Artwork
Elles: Woman Sleeping
Elles: Woman Sleeping 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
Elles: Woman Sleeping is a print by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, part of a series of ten prints depicting life in Parisian brothels.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a prostitute sleeping, curled on her side, in a dimly lit room. Lautrec's portrayal is straightforward, capturing the quiet exhaustion of her daily life. The scene is one of many in the series that humanize the women, depicting them in natural, relaxed poses.
Technique & Style
The series, including Woman Sleeping, showcases Lautrec's skill in color lithography. The print's simplicity and use of line to suggest the surroundings reflect his observational drawing style.
History & Provenance
The series was commissioned by Gustave Pellet and created between 1892 and 1895. Lautrec spent time in Parisian brothels, sketching the women and observing their daily lives. Despite its innovative portrayal, the series was a commercial failure upon its initial release.
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.
Woman Waking Up in Bed (Femme Couchée, Réveil)
Femme nue passant sa chemise (Nude Woman Taking Off Her Chemise)
Le repos du modèle (1ère planche) (The Model's Rest) (first plate)
Elles: Woman Combing Her Hair
The Siesta
Woman on Her Back (Femme sur le dos)
Croquis de femme nue, la tête contre l'oreiller (1ère plance) (Sketch of a Nude Woman, Her Head Against a Pillow) (1st plate)
Elles: Woman Carrying a Tray, Mme. Baron and Mlle. Popo