Artwork
The Little Errand-Girl (Le petit trottin)
The Little Errand-Girl (Le petit trottin) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1893, *The Little Errand‑Girl* (Le petit trottin) is a black lithograph executed on China paper.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1893, *The Little Errand‑Girl* (Le petit trottin) is a black lithograph executed on China paper. The image presents a woman in a simple dress, hair pulled back, standing beside a man in a hat and coat. French text frames the scene, indicating the title above and likely the artist’s signature below.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a fleeting moment of everyday Parisian life, focusing on ordinary figures rather than the glamorous nightlife for which Toulouse‑Lautrec is often remembered. By portraying a modest errand‑girl and a companion, the print underscores the artist’s interest in the city’s working‑class inhabitants.
Technique & Style
Toulouse‑Lautrec employed lithography, a printmaking process that allows for bold, fluid lines and stark contrasts. Executed in black on delicate China paper, the composition relies on minimal shading, emphasizing contour and gesture over detailed modeling.
History & Provenance
Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec, born into French aristocracy in 1864, turned to the bohemian milieu of Paris after a childhood injury limited his mobility. This print reflects his early forays into depicting urban subjects, predating his more famous depictions of Montmartre’s cabarets.
Context
The late 19th‑century Parisian art scene saw a rise in prints that could be reproduced for a broader audience. Toulouse‑Lautrec’s choice of lithography aligns with contemporary trends, allowing him to disseminate images of everyday life beyond the confines of the salon.
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.
