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Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Making posters and paintings that defined the image of Parisian nightlife.
Moulin Rouge: La Goulue · At the Moulin Rouge
- Born
- 24 November 1864
- Birthplace
- Albi, France
- Died
- 9 September 1901
More people
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
French artist whose bold prints and observant paintings recorded performers, audiences and workers in the entertainment world of Montmartre.
Early life
Aristocratic origins
Grew up in a noble family in southern France.
Early drawing
Drew from childhood and later trained in Paris with established painters.
Career
- 1880s
Training and Montmartre
Developed his art among the performers and venues of Paris.
- 1891
Poster breakthrough
A Moulin Rouge commission brought his graphic work into the streets.
- 1890s–1901
Painting and printmaking
Produced portraits, theatre images and lithographic series before declining health ended his career.
Selected work
Moulin Rouge: La Goulue
A bold advertising poster built around silhouettes and lettering.
At the Moulin Rouge
A painting of figures gathered inside the nightclub.
Elles
A lithographic series depicting women in brothels beyond the spectacle of performance.
Beyond work
Physical disability
Leg fractures in adolescence and an underlying condition affected his growth and mobility.
Health difficulties
Alcohol dependence contributed to serious illness in his later years.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Paul Sescau. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
