“Elsa The Viennese” is a portrait by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1897. The artwork exemplifies the Post-Impressionism art movement and has dimensions of 48.5 x 36 cm. The genre of this piece is portrait, which offers an intimate glimpse into the personality or character of the individual portrayed.
The artwork features a woman, presumably Elsa, depicted with a fair complexion and dark hair styled up, characteristic of the period. Her gaze appears to be directed slightly off to the side, suggesting an air of contemplation or distraction. Toulouse-Lautrec has captured her with a modest use of color, predominantly employing shades of blue, white, and hints of peach or flesh tones for her face and hands, against a softly rendered background that provides little distraction from the subject. Her attire includes a luxurious, white fur draped around her shoulders, and her bodice showcases intricate detailing, which might indicate a status of elegance or sophistication. The artist’s use of swift, sketch-like strokes conveys a sense of immediacy and gives the artwork an almost ephemeral quality, a hallmark of Toulouse-Lautrec’s ability to capture the essence of a moment. The signature of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is discernible at the bottom of the artwork, validating its authenticity and origin.
