Sarah Bernhardt in "Cleopatra" (Sarah Bernhardt dans "Cléopatre")

Sarah Bernhardt in "Cleopatra" (Sarah Bernhardt dans "Cléopatre")

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

1896

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a woman in a dramatic pose, lying back on a couch with one arm raised. Her hair is piled high, and she wears a loose, flowing dress. Behind her, a tall lamp with a curved shade stands near the wall. The rough, sketchy lines suggest this was drawn quickly, maybe during a performance. The artist focused on movement and energy over perfect details. Next, check out lithography to see how this print was made.

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