Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec by Ann Louise Cameron, Knox Grammar Preparatory School, April 2013

Toulouse Lautrec sitting for a self- portrait!

Emile Bernard 1885 Emile Bernard and Lautrec became friends while studying together. I In this portrait Lautrec uses a light, bright palette applied with feathery brush strokes, perhaps influenced by the newly developed Pointillist movement. The work shows Lautrec’s growing skill in depicting character, capturing the youthful and sensitive character of his stylishly-dressed artist friend.

Princeteau dans son studio Princeteau was a family friend. He was deaf and a painter of sports. He gave Toulouse-Lautrec his first painting lessons and influenced his impressionist style and the colours he used. In this picture, the artist is surrounded by things that Princeteau loved and painted. Question: Do you see any humour in this painting?

Monsieur Grenier artiste/peintre Albert Grenier was a close friend of T-L. He was also from a rich family. He lived in Montmartre in Paris near T-L.

The jockeys Lautrec’s earliest drawings were of the animals on his family’s estates in the south of France. His father was a keen huntsman and the pair shared a love of dogs and horses. Question: Did you find the dog? He looks as if he is flying! Why do you think Lautrec included a dog?

Justine Dieuhl, the artist’s model At this time, artists started painting their models outside, here in a garden. He chose pure, lively colours – look at the green and blue and lively touch of red. Question: What is the colour of Justine’s eyes? Is this colour found anywhere else in the painting?

Dr Henri Bourges This was a friend of Lautrec and a flat-mate of his. Note the paintings stacked on the floor and the Japanese scroll painting on the wall. This man is fashionably dressed. He was known to be ‘a man about town’. Question: Look at this man’s expression Does he look fun-loving or serious?

Moulin Rouge theatre This is Toulouse-Lautrec’s famous poster for the Moulin Rouge cabaret theatre. This lady was a star dancer and was called ‘La Goulue’ which means ‘greedy’ because she was very hungry after the show!

The Simpson Chain 1986 the first Tour de France was held 7 years later

The Jockey Going to the races was the most fashionable thing to do. T-L focussed on the agility of the horses and the skill of the riders.

Divan Japonais – a poster for a concert hall and cabaret theatre Here the attention is on the audience and not the show. Jean Avril was a cancan dancer and friend of the artist and is dressed in an elegant back dress and chic hat over her red hair.