As a painter, printmaker, draughtsman, caricaturist, and illustrator, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec found rich subjects in the colorful whirl of Paris during the Belle Époque. Its streets, theaters, and cabarets inspired a significant collection of provocative images of his modern—and often decadent—times.
Art historian Joseph Paul Cassar explores the artist's family background; his sufferings due to his physical ailments; and how he found comfort in his art. He offers a critical analysis of his paintings and posters within the context of life in Montmarte, which attracted Lautrec and many other artists for its bohemian freedom. His place in history is discussed in connection to the vast collection of works in the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum in Albi, the Palais de la Berbie, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2020.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
General Information
*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
