Toulouse-Lautrec

Elizabeth Hammond Stickney Collection

The Arrest of Schlomé Fuss, from Au Pied du Sinaï

In "Jane Avril Dancing," Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec captures the vibrant energy and movement of the famous can-can dancer in the bustling environment of a Parisian cabaret. The use of dynamic lines and vivid colors highlights Avril's unique pose and individuality, characteristic of Lautrec's iconic depictions of Parisian nightlife.

Jane Avril Dancing

Mr. and Mrs. Carter H. Harrison Collection

Tailpiece from Au Pied du Sinaï

The French publisher Gustave Pellet, hoping to attract new customers, persuaded Lautrec to make a series of ten prints, plus frontispiece and cover, depicting brothels. Although it was not unusual to see prostitutes pictured in the popular press, Lautrec was the first well-known, successful artist to tackle this subject. The set was a commercial failure when it first appeared, perhaps because the scenes are not erotic. Lautrec had said that "they are women to my liking", and between 1892 and 1895 he often lived in various Parisian brothels for weeks at a time. This allowed him to witness the daily lives of the women, including the intimate acts of sleeping and bathing, and to sense their suffering. The result is that only two of the scenes show prostitutes as desirable temptresses. The remainder depict the mundane routine of the women's private world, their caring for each other, their boredom, and, living on the periphery of society, their sense of isolation. Lautrec did not take a direct moral stand. He portrayed the women sympathetically, restoring to them their humanity. One scene shows Juliette Baron, whose life of vice has led to premature aging, bringing her daughter Paulette breakfast. Other images depict the women at private moments, bathing or combing their hair in natural, relaxed poses, unaware of being observed. The beauty of the drawing and use of color makes this set one of the masterpieces of late nineteenth-century French color lithography.

Elles

This artwork by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec features a lively portrait of Caudieux, a popular entertainer of the Parisian cabaret scene, captured mid-performance with vibrant colors and bold outlines. Lautrec's distinctive style, influenced by Japanese prints, brilliantly conveys the dynamic energy and character of his subject.

Caudieux

The Louis E. Stern Collection

Christmas Ballad (Ballade de Noël) from Quatorze lithographies originales (Mélodies de Désiré Dihau)

Gift of the Print and Drawing Club

May Belfort, from Treize Lithographies

This artwork, "Elles," is a lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec featuring a dancer adjusting her hair in front of a dressing room. The focus on the intimate and candid depiction reflects Lautrec's exploration of Parisian nightlife and the lives of women in the late 19th century.

Folder for Frontispiece of Elles

"The Madame Redoing Her Bun" by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec captures an intimate moment with expressive brushwork, focusing on a woman skillfully arranging her hair while wearing a pink robe. Toulouse-Lautrec's artwork is renowned for its depiction of Parisian nightlife, but this piece highlights a solitary, serene domestic scene.

The Madame Redoing Her Bun

Gift of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller

Le Jockey

"La Goulue Arriving at the Moulin Rouge" by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec captures the bohemian nightlife of late 19th-century Paris, featuring the famous can-can dancer La Goulue with bold, expressive lines and vibrant colors. The artwork conveys a sense of movement and liveliness, illustrating the dynamic social environment of the renowned cabaret.

La Goulue Arriving at the Moulin Rouge with Two Women

Mr. and Mrs. Carter H. Harrison Collection

Back Room of a shop in Cracow, from Au Pied du Sinaï

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1923

Ducarre at Les Ambassadeurs (from Le Café Concert)

In "Little Dog" by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a small black dog is painted in repose against a textured orange background, showcasing Lautrec's ability to capture intimate moments with vivid expression. Toulouse-Lautrec, renowned for his depictions of Parisian nightlife, demonstrates his versatility and affection for animals in this tender piece.

LIttle Dog

This artwork by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, featured in "La Rire," captures the dynamic presence of Mrs. Lona Barrison and her manager or husband in a typical Belle Époque Paris setting. Highlighting Lautrec's distinctive style, the piece reflects his fascination with performance and society, showcasing his skill in conveying movement and character through minimal yet expressive lines.

Mrs. Lona Barrison avec son manager et epoux, from La Rire

The Louis E. Stern Collection

Adieu from Quatorze lithographies originales (Mélodies de Désiré Dihau)

Gift of the Print and Drawing Club

Louise Balthy, from Treize Lithographies

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's portrayal of Jane Avril captures the dancer in a dynamic pose, accentuated by flowing lines and vibrant colors, characteristic of the Art Nouveau movement. Known for his depictions of Parisian nightlife, Lautrec's lithograph celebrates Avril's distinctive presence and theatrical flair.

Jane Avril

Gift of Dorothy Braude Edinburg to the Harry B. and Bessie K. Braude Memorial Collection

Mademoiselle Cocyte

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's sketch, "Yvette Guilbert: Chanson Ancienne," captures the renowned performer in a dreamlike, expressive pose with delicate lines. Lautrec was known for his ability to depict the vibrant characters of Parisian nightlife, particularly in the Montmartre district.

Yvette Guilbert: Chanson Ancienne

Gift of the Print and Drawing Club

At the Concert

Joseph Brooks Fair Fund

Philibert the Pony

Gift of Ferdinand H. Davis, 1952

Announcement for the Théâtre de L'Oeuvre

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Carter H. Harrison

Reine de Joie

"At the Foot of the Scaffold," part of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s oeuvre, reflects his bold use of color and dynamic compositions underscoring dramatic themes. This artwork captures an intense scene with vivid expressions and stark contrasts, evoking a narrative of tension and reflection common in his work.

At the Foot of the Scaffold

The Charles F. Glore Collection

Yahne and Mayer, in L'Age Difficile

"Reine de Joie" is a lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1892 to advertise a novel by Victor Joze. The artwork vividly depicts the lively, bohemian nightlife of Paris, featuring a bold composition with rich colors and dynamic figures in a social setting.

Reine de Joie

The Louis E. Stern Collection

Jane Avril from Le Café Concert

Gift of the Print and Drawing Club

Jane Hading, from Treize Lithographies

"Prick and Woodman" by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec captures a serene woodland scene with a man on horseback and a woodcutter amidst tall, slender trees. The painting is characterized by its warm color palette and atmospheric perspective, showcasing Lautrec's early exploration of rural subjects and his skill in depicting natural light.

Prick and Woodman