Woman with an umbrella 1889

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made "Woman with an Umbrella," likely in the late 1880s, with oil on cardboard. Look closely, and you'll notice how Lautrec allows the cardboard support to show through, especially in the background. This wasn't about saving money; it was a conscious choice. The rough texture of the cardboard contrasts with the delicate brushwork used to render the woman's dress and hat. This gives the painting an immediacy, almost as if it were a quick sketch. The pointillist influence—tiny dots of color applied in a seemingly random manner—adds to this effect, as does the thinness of the paint application, also known as a wash. Lautrec's choice of materials and techniques speaks to his desire to capture a fleeting moment, and to elevate everyday life in his art. He found beauty not in grand narratives, but in the textures and gestures of modern life. By paying attention to these details, he challenged traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.