Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (Comte Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa; 1864 – 1901) was a French painter and printmaker known for his vivid depictions of Parisian nightlife in the late 19th century. His art style is characterised by its bold use of colour, fluid lines, and an almost caricature-like portrayal of his subjects, often focusing on the vibrant and sometimes sordid world of cabarets, theatres, and dance halls. Toulouse-Lautrec primarily used oil paints, lithography, and posters, employing a technique that blended fine art with commercial art forms. His work is closely associated with the Post-Impressionism movement and the development of modern advertising, where he captured the energy and decadence of the Belle Époque with a distinctive, highly recognisable style.