Pessima was painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1898.

Where can I see Pessima?

Pessima is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Pessima?

Pessima is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Pessima

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec , 1898

Pessima is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Pessima is a 1898 lithograph in black and beige by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a French artist known for capturing the essence of Parisian nightlife.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a person's head and shoulders in a rough, sketchy style, conveying a sense of haste or informality. Toulouse-Lautrec's work often focused on marginalized figures, reflecting his engagement with the social undercurrents of late 19th-century Paris.

Technique & Style

The image was created using a simple technique, with pencil or charcoal on paper, and then lithographed. The resulting print features light, shaky lines against a plain beige background, giving it a spontaneous, note-like quality.

Artist & collection

Artist

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

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.