Frontispiece for Elles - Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A 1896 colour lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, serving as the frontispiece for his celebrated Elles portfolio.

This lithograph serves as the frontispiece for the 1896 portfolio titled Elles, a series of eleven prints by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The artist depicts a woman from behind, her hair a striking shade of ginger, as she adjusts her attire. To the left, a top hat rests upon a chair, suggesting the presence of a male visitor or the transient nature of the setting. The composition employs a muted, earthy palette, allowing the specific colour of the woman's hair to draw the eye immediately.

Toulouse-Lautrec utilised the lithographic medium to experiment with texture and line. The background is rendered with a soft, grainy quality, contrasting with the more defined, sweeping strokes of the woman's dress. The inclusion of the artist's monogram, a circular HTL, is positioned near the title text. This work reflects the artist's interest in the private lives of Parisian women during the late nineteenth century. Rather than focusing on the theatricality of the cabaret, he captures a quiet, domestic moment.

The series Elles was published by Gustave Pellet and represents a significant technical achievement in colour lithography. Toulouse-Lautrec worked closely with the printer Henri Stern to achieve the subtle gradations of tone present in the final prints. The work demonstrates his ability to convey character and narrative through minimal detail and economy of line. By stripping away unnecessary background elements, he directs the viewer to the posture and silhouette of the subject. This print remains a primary example of his graphic output, showing his mastery of the medium and his observational approach to his subjects.