The Laundress, 1888. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901). Black and gray wash with white paint, scratched away in places; sheet: x cm (29 7/8 x 24 13/16 in.). A prolific illustrator, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this drawing as an illustration for an article about "Summer in Paris" published in Paris illustré, a magazine popular among the middle classes. Although the article singled out the laundress as a charming object of the male gaze on the city streets, the stooping posture and dark-circled eyes of the figure seen here give her a worn, tired appearance that invites
The Laundress, 1888. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901). Black and gray wash with white paint, scratched away in places; sheet: x cm (29 7/8 x 24 13/16 in.). A prolific illustrator, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this drawing as an illustration for an article about "Summer in Paris" published in Paris illustré, a magazine popular among the middle classes. Although the article singled out the laundress as a charming object of the male gaze on the city streets, the stooping posture and dark-circled eyes of the figure seen here give her a worn, tired appearance that invites comparison with the workhorse behind her. The drawing's sharp receding perspective emphasizes the act of street-level spectatorship and a man's top hat visible in the coach behind the woman alludes to her subservient social and sexual role.
Size: 2831px × 3400px
Photo credit: © CMA/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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