Plate: TL. 29

"This image of a woman taking her hair down advertises the portfolio of ten lithographs of Lautrec's scenes of Paris brothels as well as their exhibition at the gallery of 'La Plume' magazine. The ladies' occupation could not be named any more than it could be depicted. They are simply called 'Elles' (Those Women), and their business is indicated merely by a gentleman's hat on the bed" (Rennert, PAI-XXXI, 393)

A complete Set of ten (including the above image, which served as the cover and frontispiece) sold for $ 280,750 US. Sotheby's, N.Y. Lot 120, Mar. 2001 (from the edition of 100)

"Lautrec's series 'Elles' is one of the high-points of nineteenth-century art. 'They' are 'woman to my liking', as he (Lautrec) used to say cynically, and he often lived with them for weeks at a time during the years 1892 to 1895, a constant witness of their daily lives, of their suffering and intimacy. Attentively he noted their monotonous routine..." (Adriani p.222)

During the 1960s the renowned French printer, Mourlot Freres, printed this superb series "Les Affiches de Toulouse-Lautrec" for collectors. They are reduced lithographic versions of Lautrec's most famous works. They are truly the most beautiful printing we have been able to find in this size format.

As vintage printings of Lautrec's work, in all formats, reach high prices, this mid-century printing offers a superb alternative at a reasonable price that will only appreciate in value.