#31293 Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901)

The drawing presents a portrait study of a young woman facing directly toward the viewer. The artist employed a technique that emphasizes rapid execution and gestural marks; lines are loose and energetic, contributing to a sense of immediacy and capturing a fleeting impression rather than striving for meticulous detail.
Here we see the subject’s hair gathered in an updo, with strands escaping around her face, suggesting a casual or informal setting. Her expression is one of gentle amusement or quiet contemplation, conveyed through subtly rendered eyes and a slight upturn of the lips. The artist has focused on capturing the essential features – the shape of the eyes, the curve of the mouth, the planes of the nose – using a delicate interplay of light and shadow to define form.
The clothing appears simple; a collared shirt is loosely draped over her shoulders. This lack of elaborate adornment reinforces the impression of an unposed moment, a glimpse into everyday life. The background is left largely undefined, allowing the focus to remain entirely on the subject’s face and upper body. A textured surface, likely paper, provides a neutral backdrop that enhances the drawings tonal range.
The artist’s signature, rendered in red ink at the lower center of the composition, adds a personal touch and confirms the work as an original study. The overall effect is one of intimacy and observation; it feels like a private moment captured with sensitivity and skill. Subtly, the drawing suggests a focus on psychological insight rather than purely physical representation – the artist seems more interested in conveying a sense of character than creating a photographic likeness.