The artwork “Mademoiselle Dihau at the Piano” is a creation by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec from the year 1890. Utilizing oil on cardboard, Toulouse-Lautrec has manifested a work firmly rooted in the Post-Impressionist movement. The genre painting measures 63 x 48 cm and is currently housed in the Musee Toulouse-Lautrec in Albi, France. This piece typifies the artist’s fascination with Parisian nightlife and the arts.
In examining the artwork, one can observe a woman immersed in the act of playing the piano. Her profile is delicately rendered, highlighted by Toulouse-Lautrec’s use of color and brushwork to convey mood and atmosphere. The composition leads the viewer’s eyes to the pianist’s hands, which articulate themselves gracefully over the keyboard, suggesting motion and sound. Her concentration is evident, as indicated by her poised posture and the slight tilt of her head. The artist has masterfully captured a moment of solitary engagement with music, enveloping the subject in a richly patterned environment that hints at the bohemian lifestyle of the late 19th century. The piano, sheet music, and various textures that fill the room all amalgamate to create a vivid snapshot of the subject in her artistic habitat.
