Last Ballad (Ultime ballade)

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a figure depicted in a sitting position, partially turning away from the viewer, with only the upper half of the body visible. The person is wearing a large, wide-brimmed hat that obscures the facial features. The person is dressed in a long, dark coat or cloak, set against a textured background. A distinct black and white contrast dominates the scene, with a winding white line cutting across the image. In the lower right corner, a small, bright yellow arc stands out. The background is abstract, with what may be a railing or fence to the right, and dark, vertical lines suggestive of poles or trees on the left. The overall composition has an expressive quality, focusing more on shapes and contrasts than on detailed rendering.