La Clownesse assise (Mademoiselle CHA-U-KA-O)

Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec was born in Albi on the 24th of November 1864, to a family with roots in the most ancient provincial aristocracy. Toulouse-Lautrec’s portfolio Elles is one of the most celebrated and sought-after series in the history of printmaking. As a regular visitor, and at times long-term guest, of the maisons closes or brothels of Paris, Toulouse-Lautrec was well-acquainted with the women who lived and worked there. He was particularly interested in depicting them in their daily routines, at the washstand or dozing in bed. The most famous lithograph in the Elles series is therefore unusual for showing a woman in a public place: La Clownesse assise depicts Mademoiselle Cha-u-ka-o in costume at a cabaret show. It is a private moment nonetheless as she sits on a bench in a relaxed posture.

Signature: Numbered in pencil in the margin, embossed with the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec chopmark and stamped with the artist's signature

Medium: Colour Lithograph

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