In Bed, The Kiss 1892

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec captured this intimate scene using pastel on cardboard. In late nineteenth-century Paris, Lautrec's position as an outsider, due to his physical disability and aristocratic background, gave him access to the city's underbelly, including brothels. Lautrec's images of sex workers depart from idealized representations, offering instead a glimpse into their everyday lives. Here, the women are embracing, their faces close, caught in a tender moment. The soft pastel hues and loose strokes evoke a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. It invites us to consider themes of female sexuality, desire, and companionship that were often overlooked in mainstream art. The portrayal challenges traditional notions of femininity and romantic love. Through the depiction of their physical connection, Lautrec humanizes the women, showing them as complex individuals. It offers a glimpse into the spaces where societal expectations are suspended and alternative narratives of love and connection emerge.