Woman Combing Her Hair 1896

This lithograph, Woman Combing Her Hair, was made by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. He printed it with a grease-based crayon, and the lithographic stone, which is a labor-intensive process, allowing him to achieve soft, hazy effects. The material has a direct influence on the appearance of the image. The greasy crayon repels water, but bonds with the printing ink. This allows for subtle gradations of tone, seen here in the woman's skin and hair. The process also lends itself to capturing fleeting moments, as though we're catching a glimpse into the intimate rituals of daily life. Toulouse-Lautrec was fascinated by the lives of working-class women in Paris, and his prints often depict them in private moments. He wasn't only an artist, but a printmaker, deeply involved in the techniques, tools, and skilled traditions of commercial print production. These modes of production and consumption made it possible for his art to reach a broader audience, outside the traditional art world. Paying attention to materials, making, and context allows us to appreciate the significance of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.