Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901)
Your Mouth
1893
Lithograph restrike
14 1/2 x 11″ (36.83 x 27.94 cm)
Wetmore Print Collection, Connecticut College
FW-0280

Is this a sexualized image? A figure drawn in soft lines lies in bed, creating an exposed and intimate setting. The gender of this subject is ambiguous. Whether this is an innocent work or one fueled by sexualized ideas relies on interpretation. Toulouse-Lautrec was intent on portraying people in their natural habitat, both the wealthy and prostitutes. Other works of his contain  images of women in provocative and intimate positions. The child is not suggestive in their posture or expression, but has Toulouse-Lautrec drawn from the sexual topics of his other works to create this private image? How does the viewer interpret the fragility and subjectiveness of this subject?