Waking Up, from the series Elles

Description

In Waking Up, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec lets a woman’s head rest toward the right on a pillow, with broad, crumpled bedcovers extending across the scene. Her body lies toward the left, partly integrated with the lighter fabric. The pale appearance makes the folds and small facial presence share the focus, preserving a quiet moment within the bed’s expansive surface.

Dated 1896, the print is a crayon lithograph with scraper, printed in olive gray on wove paper. Gustave Pellet published the series, with Toulouse-Lautrec responsible for the image. The limited color connects the subject with a restrained graphic presence, giving daily life a form distinct from the artist’s bright publicity posters. The represented scene is one design from the portfolio, preserving a personal moment without standing for the entire publication.