Cléo de Mérode

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a woman from the shoulders up, viewed in profile, positioned with her back slightly turned toward the viewer as she sits on a piece of furniture. Her head is turned slightly to the side, emphasizing her profile with subtly defined facial features. She has an extravagant, voluminous hairstyle that creates a dramatic silhouette. The woman is dressed in attire that includes a high, textured collar or scarf wrapped around her neck. In the background, there are sketches of two other figures sitting at a table, one reading a document. These figures are rendered with lighter, more minimal lines. The setting suggests an indoor environment, possibly a cafe or similar space, as indicated by the presence of furniture and the warm, intimate atmosphere created by the drawing's shading and line work.