The artwork titled “Abandonment (The pair)” was crafted by the artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in the year 1895. This piece is an oil on cardboard and is categorized under the genre painting tradition within the Post-Impressionism movement. The artwork is currently housed within a private collection.
In the artwork, a vivid and dynamic scene is depicted, full of emotion and rich texture. Two figures can be seen, one lounging with their arm resting gracefully over their forehead as if lost in contemplation or weariness, and the other turned away, offering only a view of the back. The languid pose of the figure in the foreground suggests a moment of rest or emotional exhaustion, encapsulating perhaps a sense of abandonment that the title alludes to.
Toulouse-Lautrec’s use of color in this work is of particular note—yellows, greens, and whites dominate, creating a bright, almost dizzying background that contrasts with the sobering theme. His brushwork is loose and expressive, typical of the Post-Impressionist style, which sought to convey a sense of movement and emotion, moving beyond the realism of the Impressionist movement that preceded it.
The surrounding environment is abstracted, with the strokes and colors blending together to create a sense of space without intricate detail. The brushstrokes are thick and visible, characteristic of Toulouse-Lautrec’s style, which often captured the essence and atmosphere of the scenes he portrayed rather than the precise details. There is a palpable sense of intimacy and immediacy within the composition, drawing viewers into the emotional sphere of the figures presented.
