Sheet of Sketches c. 1881

Here, we see Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's "Sheet of Sketches," created with graphite on paper. The work captures a dynamic scene, possibly a horse jumping event, rendered with an economy of line. The composition is open, allowing the eye to move freely between the sketched figures of horses, dogs, and architectural details. The sketches present a semiotic landscape where each element, from the posture of the horse to the geometric rendering of the buildings, acts as a signifier. The rapid, almost frenetic lines suggest movement and energy, challenging the static nature of traditional drawing. The lack of finish is not a deficiency but a deliberate choice that invites us to contemplate the process of representation itself. Note how the unfinished quality destabilizes fixed meanings, allowing for an interpretation that is fluid and contingent. This resonates with broader post-structuralist ideas where meaning is never fully determined but always in the process of becoming. This sheet encapsulates the dynamism and intellectual curiosity of its time.