Artwork
La Passagère du 54
La Passagère du 54 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
Created in 1896, *La Passagère du 54* is a print by Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec that portrays a solitary woman reclining in a bright yellow deck chair beside a dark‑blue river. She is shaded by a light hat and a dark coat, with one arm resting on the chair’s armrest. A small dog lies at her feet and a red potted plant appears in the lower corner, while distant boats punctuate the water.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a fleeting moment of leisure within the bustling riverfront of late‑nineteenth‑century Paris. The relaxed posture of the figure, contrasted with the vivid chair and muted surroundings, suggests a pause amid the city’s constant motion, reflecting Toulouse‑Lautrec’s interest in everyday scenes of the urban social sphere.
Technique & Style
Executed with bold, flat areas of color and simplified forms, the print relies on loose, gestural lines that convey immediacy. The artist’s handling of the yellow chair and the dark water demonstrates a confident use of contrast, while the minimal detailing of the figure and background underscores a sketch‑like quality typical of his printmaking practice.
History & Provenance
The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader effort to represent the vibrant print culture of Paris at the turn of the century, and it stands as a documented example of Toulouse‑Lautrec’s output during his most productive period.
Context
Toulouse‑Lautrec, born into French aristocracy in 1864, turned to the nightlife and theatrical world of Montmartre after a childhood marked by physical disability. His focus on performers, cafés, and river scenes offered an insider’s view of the era’s decadent social life, and *La Passagère du 54* exemplifies his habit of recording ordinary moments with an eye for atmosphere.
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.
