Who painted Sleep (Le sommeil)?

Sleep (Le sommeil) was painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1896.

Where can I see Sleep (Le sommeil)?

Sleep (Le sommeil) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Sleep (Le sommeil)?

Sleep (Le sommeil) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Sleep (Le sommeil)

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec , 1896

Sleep (Le sommeil) 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. Created in 1896, this red lithograph on laid paper presents a solitary figure lying on its side.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1896, this red lithograph on laid paper presents a solitary figure lying on its side. The composition is rendered in a single warm, reddish‑brown hue, emphasizing the softness of the pose. The work belongs to Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec’s series of rapid studies that capture fleeting moments of repose.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a nude reclined on a side, with arms folded beneath the head, suggesting a private, unguarded instant. By focusing on a solitary, vulnerable body, the piece aligns with Lautrec’s broader interest in portraying individuals on the margins of Parisian society and the intimate spaces they inhabit.

Technique & Style

Executed through lithography, the artist drew directly onto a stone surface, allowing the fluid, sketch‑like lines to transfer onto paper. The loose, hurried strokes and the uniform reddish tone give the print a smudged, atmospheric quality, characteristic of Lautrec’s quick studies that aim to seize movement and stillness alike.

History & Provenance

Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec, a French painter and printmaker active in late‑19th‑century Paris, produced this work among numerous studies intended for personal reference rather than exhibition. The lithograph remains a testament to his prolific print output during a period when he regularly explored theatrical and everyday scenes of the city.

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.