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Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

(French, 1864-1901)

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a French artist born in Tarn, France in 1864. He was born into an aristocratic family and took part in the theatrical Parisian culture that inspired the provocative content of his works.

As a boy, Toulouse-Lautrec broke both of his legs, neither of which healed properly. Due to the fractures and a congenital disability, he could not participate in the activities of boys his age, and began to immerse himself in art. He studied under Léon Bonnat, which allowed him access into the artistic and bohemian neighbourhood of Montmartre in Paris. Toulouse-Lautrec made the acquaintance of Émile Henri Bernard and Vincent van Gogh, who influenced his painting and illustration style.

Along with his famous works depicting Parisian prostitutes, Toulouse-Lautrec is known for producing posters for the iconic Moulin Rouge cabaret. His paintings take inspiration from the Impressionists such as Manet and Degas, and he masterfully depicts crowded scenes and with a high level of intimacy and detail. Though Toulouse-Lautrec died at the age of 36, in his short career as an artist he produced over 700 paintings, 300 posters, and 5,000 drawings.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec