Artwork
Soudais Deposition (Déposition Soudais)

Soudais Deposition (Déposition Soudais) 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. Created in 1896, Soudais Deposition is a lithographic print by Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1896, Soudais Deposition is a lithographic print by Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec. The work presents a compact group gathered around a table, each figure turned inward, their gazes directed downward. The composition is rendered with swift, gestural lines and minimal background detail, emphasizing the immediacy of the moment rather than a polished finish.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a quiet, perhaps contemplative episode: one individual holds a cup, another props a chin on a hand, while the others sit in subdued posture. The limited interaction and muted expressions suggest a private, possibly ritualistic gathering, inviting viewers to infer a narrative of shared introspection or a fleeting social encounter.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the print relies on the artist’s quick, loose drawing style. Light shading delineates folds in clothing and facial features, while the stark background, merely a wall and a few shelf objects, keeps focus on the figures. The rapid line work conveys a snapshot quality, characteristic of Toulouse‑Lautrec’s approach to capturing transient moments.
History & Provenance
Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec, born into French aristocracy in 1864, turned to the Parisian nightlife after a childhood injury stunted his growth. By the mid‑1890s he was prolific in printmaking, producing works that documented the city’s cabarets, brothels, and theatrical world. Soudais Deposition reflects this period of his career, though specific ownership records for the print remain limited.
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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.

















