Artwork
Anna Held
Anna Held is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Anna Held is a 1896 lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created on cream-colored velin paper in black ink. It is a print featuring a sketch-like portrait.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph depicts a woman, likely a performer or figure from Parisian society, with her hair pulled back and wearing a simple collar. The subject is set against a sparse background with faint suggestions of surrounding elements.
Technique & Style
Toulouse-Lautrec employed a loose, sketchy style in Anna Held, characteristic of lithography. The scratchy lines and quick execution evoke the immediacy of a drawing, rather than a formal portrait.
Context
Toulouse-Lautrec was known for capturing the essence of Parisian nightlife and culture in his work, often focusing on performers and social figures. Anna Held reflects his immersion in the vibrant culture 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.
