Artwork
La Berceuse
La Berceuse is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The image presents a domestic interior where a woman cradles an infant, surrounded by scattered scores, and appears to sway gently to an unseen melody.
Created in 1896, La Berceuse is a lithographic print by Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec that incorporates actual music sheets into its composition. The image presents a domestic interior where a woman cradles an infant, surrounded by scattered scores, and appears to sway gently to an unseen melody. The overall tone is quiet and intimate, contrasting with the artist’s more public depictions of Parisian nightlife.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a mother soothing her child, a scene that evokes the traditional lullaby motif suggested by the title. The calm expression on her face and the presence of the musical scores underline a connection between visual and auditory lull, hinting at the comforting power of song within a private, familial setting.
Technique & Style
Toulouse‑Lautrec employed lithography, a planographic printing process that allows for fine tonal variation and the direct inclusion of printed elements such as the music sheets. The medium’s capacity for repeated impressions enabled the artist to integrate textual material seamlessly with the drawn figures, creating a layered visual field that merges graphic detail with atmospheric softness.
History & Provenance
The work originates from the later period of Toulouse‑Lautrec’s career, when he was expanding his repertoire beyond posters and cabaret scenes. Though primarily known for his portrayals of bohemian Paris, this print reflects his occasional interest in domestic subjects. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s own studio inventory, later entering public collections that document his diverse output.
Artist & collection
Artist
Comte Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Montfa (24 November 1864 – 9 September 1901), known as Toulouse-Lautrec (French: ), was a French painter, printmaker, draughtsman, caricaturist, and illustrator.
