Doing one's toilet c. 1896

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this image in France, during the late 19th century. The sketch shows a woman, perhaps a prostitute, attending to her toilette in a domestic interior. The scene provides a glimpse into the private lives of women in Montmartre, Paris. The loose and sketchy style captures a sense of intimacy, depicting an unglamorous moment that contrasts with the public image of Parisian nightlife. Toulouse-Lautrec was an important figure in the Post-Impressionist movement, known for his depictions of Parisian nightlife and the demimonde. He often portrayed performers, prostitutes, and other marginalized figures, challenging the conventions of academic art and offering a glimpse into a world that was often overlooked or romanticized. To understand this work better, one might research the social history of prostitution and the representation of women in art during the late 19th century. This could involve consulting sources such as contemporary newspapers, police records, and literary works.