Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was born in southern France to an aristocratic family during the mid 19th century. He had a weak & ill childhood which left him somewhat physically deformed.
Enjoying the Bawdy Life
Henri was a strange little man, oddly misshapen due to broken bones as a child. He took to the bawdy night life of bars & brothels and became a heavy drinker. While much of his art reflects the people with which he shared his time (loose women and burlesque dancers), he also had a softer side. The softer Henri enjoyed the circus and had an obvious appreciation for the equine form. So far I’ve found horses in over 30 of his pieces, so if you haven’t seen the first post of Henri’s horses be sure to check it out.
His soft, minimalist approach manages to define his subjects emotionally. His work often provides us with a brief moment of intimacy with the subject of his scrutiny.
Not Quite Done Yet
Believe it or not I’ve got more of Toulouse-Lautrec’s work to come, so be sure to check back next week.