Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s “Reclining Nude,” created in 1897, is an oil painting on cardboard belonging to the Post-Impressionism movement and is categorized as a nude painting (nu). The artwork is in the collection of the Barnes Foundation, located in Philadelphia, PA, US.
The artwork captures the image of a nude female figure lying down on a dark, textured surface, with her body oriented towards the viewer. She is propped up on her right arm, and her head is resting casually on her hand, with her gaze directed towards a book or a small object she holds. The figure’s left hand is tucked beneath her cheek, suggesting a moment of repose or perhaps reading.
Toulouse-Lautrec’s use of color is muted, yet there are subtle variations in the flesh tones that animate the woman’s form with a sense of warmth and vitality. The background is rendered in rough, broad brushstrokes, and there is a distinct contrast between the soft contours of the figure and the more abstract treatment of the surroundings. The artist’s signature is visible in the lower left corner of the painting, indicative of his hand and confirming the piece’s authenticity.
This artwork exemplifies the Post-Impressionist interest in personal expression and the use of bold colors and techniques to evoke emotion rather than precisely replicate reality. Despite its creation over a century ago, the work retains a feeling of timelessness and intimate connection with the human subject.
