The artwork titled “Woman Looking into a Hand Held Mirror” is a creation of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, dating back to 1896. As an embodiment of the Art Nouveau movement, this piece is characterized as a sketch and study, showcasing the stylistic preferences of the period. Measuring 52.2 by 40 cm, the artwork is part of the collection housed at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City, NY, United States.
The artwork portrays a woman in a candid and intimate moment, captured as she gazes at her reflection in a handheld mirror. Her body is loosely draped in a garment that reveals the line of her back, while the rest of her figure is sketched with minimalist but expressive lines. The setting appears to be a personal space, perhaps a boudoir, with various objects and furnishings suggested in the background. The artist’s use of space and rapid strokes imbues the scene with a sense of immediacy and fleeting beauty. The color palette seems to be intentionally limited, giving prominence to the form and posture of the subject. The work reflects Toulouse-Lautrec’s interest in the lives and private moments of women, which is a recurring theme in his oeuvre.
