Color lithograph on thick paper in a black frame behind glass.
Dimensions: 47 x 60 cm, 58 x 78 cm (with frame)
L.d.: Publisher's dry stamp and no.: 257/275
P.d.: Museum stamp: T.Lautrec
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (born November 24, 1864 in Albi, died September 9, 1901 in Malromé) was a French painter, printmaker and illustrator, known for his works depicting the nightlife of Paris in the late 19th century. He came from an aristocratic family, and his full name was Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa.
Toulouse-Lautrec was born into a wealthy aristocratic family, which gave him access to education and contact with artistic circles. From a young age, he suffered from a genetic bone disease, which caused his legs to stop growing after fractures at ages 13 and 14, leaving him with a short stature and a disproportionate body (Wikipedia) (The Art Story).
He began his art education under the tutelage of René Princeteau, and later studied with Léon Bonnat and Fernand Cormon in Paris. It was in Paris that he immersed himself in the artistic bohemia of Montmartre, where he became a regular in cabarets, bars and brothels (Encyclopedia Britannica) (Wikipedia).
Toulouse-Lautrec is best known for the posters and lithographs he created to promote Parisian cafes, theaters and cabarets such as the Moulin Rouge. His works are characterized by vibrant colors, dynamic lines and an ability to capture the atmosphere of Parisian nightlife (Encyclopedia Britannica) (The Art Story).
One of his most famous works is the lithograph "Queen of Joy" (La Reine de Joie), which is part of his extensive lithographic output. His works often depicted nightlife scenes, dancers, prostitutes and brothel customers, as well as portraits of his friends and acquaintances in Montmartre (The Art Story) (The Museum of Modern Art).
His style often combined elements of Impressionism and Expressionism, and his work was inspired by artists such as Edgar Degas. Toulouse-Lautrec was a master at capturing movement and emotion in his compositions, making his works extremely vivid and dynamic (Wikipedia) (The Art Story).
Despite his short life, Toulouse-Lautrec left behind a huge artistic output, including more than 5,000 drawings, 370 lithographs and about 1,000 paintings. His works are now prized worldwide and are an important part of the collections of museums such as theMuseum ofModern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Encyclopedia Britannica) (The Museum of Modern Art).
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec died at the age of 36 due to health complications from alcoholism and bone disease, but his artistic legacy lives on, inspiring generations of artists and art lovers alike
