The artwork titled “Two Half Naked Women Seen from Behind in the Rue des Moulins Brothel” is an oil on cardboard painting created by the renowned artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1894. As an emblematic piece of Post-Impressionism, this sketch and study captures a scene within the context of a brothel, which was a recurrent theme in Toulouse-Lautrec’s oeuvre. The artwork is part of the collection of the Musee Toulouse-Lautrec in Albi, France.
The artwork reveals the backs of two women, with bare skin partially exposed. The woman to the left is shown with vibrant red hair, while the figure to the right, whose hair is done up, wears a sleeveless garment that falls gently to reveal the curve of her back. The use of light and shadow, as well as the suggestive strokes, creates a palpable intimacy and showcases Toulouse-Lautrec’s skill in depicting figures from the demimonde with sensitivity and an unfiltered lens. The sparse use of color against the raw cardboard background emphasizes the figures, prompting a focus on their form and poise. The placement of the women, along with the undefined background, suggests an ephemeral moment captured within the private confines of the Rue des Moulins Brothel.
