Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901)
DECADENCE IN FIN-DE-SIÈCLE PARIS
For Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, art was an escape from the pain and tragedy of his life. Born in Albi, France, to an affluent aristocratic family, Lautrec was a sickly child who became disabled in his early teens after fractures in his legs failed to heal in full. As a result, he stopped growing at a little over four feet tall and was unable to take part in many normal childhood activities. Art subsequently became his outlet.
Much of Lautrec’s art was inspired by the colorful bars and cafés in and around Montmartre.
As an adult, Lautrec was drawn to the excitement and thrill of Montmartre, a seedier section on the outskirts of Paris known for its decadent cafés, cabarets, dance halls, circuses, and brothels teeming with bohemians. Lautrec immersed himself in this subversive milieu, exposing the dark and often sad existence of the Paris underground in his lively paintings and lithographs. Lautrec patronized the establishments, drinking, socializing, and sketching his observations; he’d then refer to the sketches to create finished artwork, much of which depicted actual clientele, rather than anonymous, unknown faces.
Lautrec catapulted to fame with his lithograph “Moulin Rouge: La Goulue,” an advertisement for the Moulin Rouge and its provocative Can-Can dancer, Louise Weber. Thousands of posters were printed and distributed throughout Paris, which brought Lautrec instant recognition. Sadly, however, the heavy drinking associated with Lautrec’s lifestyle rendered him an alcoholic, and he died at the age of 36. —RJR
Notable works: Equestrienne, 1888; Moulin Rouge: La Goulue, 1891; At the Moulin Rouge, 1892; Jane Avril, 1893 (page 242).
FUN FACT
Lautrec allegedly owned a cane customized with a secret compartment in which he stored alcohol.