Laziness 1896

"Laziness" (1896) is a woodcut by Swiss artist Félix Vallotton, currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago. The stark black and white print depicts a nude woman reclining on a bed of patterned textiles. Vallotton’s use of bold, graphic lines and flat areas of black and white creates a striking and minimalist composition, characteristic of his style. The use of geometric patterns and simplified forms draws inspiration from the aesthetics of Art Nouveau. The work's title and imagery explore themes of sensuality, leisure, and the representation of the female form.