Henri de Toulouse Lautrec

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) was a French artist known for his paintings, prints, and posters depicting the nightlife of fin-de-siècle Paris. Born into an aristocratic family, Toulouse-Lautrec suffered from physical disabilities due to inbreeding. He left formal schooling to pursue art, studying under academic painters and finding inspiration in the cabarets, dance halls, and brothels of Paris. His works capture the energy and vibrancy of these spaces, portraying performers, dancers, and prostitutes with bold, graphic lines and vivid color. Toulouse-Lautrec also experimented with lithography, producing iconic posters for performers like Jane Avril and the Moulin Rouge. He died at the age of 36, possibly from complications related to alcoholism and syphilis. Today, his art is celebrated for its innovative approach to composition, its frank depiction of marginalized communities, and its lasting influence on modern graphic design.