Artwork
Paula Brébion
Paula Brébion is a print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The drawing feels alive but rough—like it was made fast, with just enough detail to show movement.
This sketch shows a woman’s side view, her arm raised as if reaching up. Her hair is pulled back, and her body is drawn in loose, quick lines. The background is plain, keeping all focus on her shape.
The drawing feels alive but rough—like it was made fast, with just enough detail to show movement. The artist left out small things, like fingers or toes, to keep it simple.
Next, check out Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864–1901) for more sketches like this.
Overview
Paula Brébion is a print created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1893. It is a representation of a woman in a brothel setting, characteristic of the artist's later work.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a woman in profile, her arm raised. The setting is suggestive of a brothel, a subject Toulouse-Lautrec frequently explored in his later career, reflecting his fascination with Parisian nightlife.
Technique & Style
The drawing is executed in loose, quick lines, capturing the subject's movement. Details such as fingers and toes are omitted, emphasizing simplicity and conveying a sense of spontaneity.
History & Provenance
Toulouse-Lautrec, born into French aristocracy in 1864, suffered leg injuries as an adolescent, resulting in a distinct physical stature. He focused on subjects like performers and social scenes, often reflecting the nightlife of late 19th-century Paris.
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.
