The artwork titled “Lili Grenier in a Kimono” was crafted by the artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1888. This oil on canvas portrait is a representation of the Post-Impressionist movement and measures 55.3 x 45.7 cm. Currently, it resides in a private collection. As a genre, this piece is classified as a portrait, depicting the subject, Lili Grenier, dressed in a kimono.
The artwork presents a striking figure, Lili Grenier, adorned in an intricately patterned kimono that drapes over her frame, enveloping her form. The kimono is rendered in bold hues with accents of red and white, highlighted with touches of floral design, which evoke a delicate sense of elegance and exoticism. The portrait captures the subject in a seated posture, her body slightly turned, with an expression that conveys a contemplative or introspective state.
Toulouse-Lautrec’s brushwork is notable for its loose, expressive style, characteristic of Post-Impressionism, that emphasizes the artist’s personal response to the subject rather than striving for realistic depiction. The background is executed in rough, textural strokes of predominantly dark tones, which serves to push the figure to the foreground, making her the central focus of the composition. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the use of vibrant colors, imparts the portrait with a sense of depth and character, reflecting the unique sensibilities of the artist and the mood of the era in which it was created.
