Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Date of Birth: November 24, 1864

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: September 9, 1901

Biography

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a French painter, printmaker, draughtsman, and illustrator whose immersion in the colorful and theatrical life of Paris in the late 19th century allowed him to produce a collection of enticing, elegant, and provocative images of the modern and decadent adult society of those times. He is among the most well-known painters of the Post-Impressionist period, alongside artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Paul Gauguin. Born into an aristocratic family in Albi, France, Toulouse-Lautrec suffered from congenital health conditions that stunted his growth and left him physically disabled. These disabilities, however, did not hinder his artistic pursuits. He moved to Paris to study under prominent academic painters but soon found himself drawn to the bohemian life of Montmartre, an area famous for its vibrant nightlife and cabarets. His work at the Moulin Rouge and other Parisian nightclubs captured the essence of the Belle Époque, illustrating both the glamour and the squalor of the era. Toulouse-Lautrec’s unique style combined elements of realism, impressionism, and later, the emerging Art Nouveau movement. Despite his relatively short life, he produced over 700 canvases, 275 watercolors, 363 prints and posters, and 5,084 drawings, in addition to some ceramic and stained glass work.

5 Interesting Facts about Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

1. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec broke both his legs in separate accidents when he was a teenager, which left him with a severely stunted stature.

2. He was a close friend of Vincent van Gogh and even painted a portrait of him.

3. Toulouse-Lautrec was a prolific artist, creating over 5,000 works despite his short life.

4. His posters for the Moulin Rouge helped to popularize the cabaret and establish it as a cultural icon.

5. Toulouse-Lautrec battled alcoholism for much of his life and was known for his extravagant lifestyle.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

1. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

2. “I paint things as they are. I don’t comment. I record.”

3. “Love is when the desire to be desired takes you so badly that you feel you could die of it.”

4. “I have tried to do what is true and not ideal.”

5. “I paint things as they are. I don’t comment. I record.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s net worth would be difficult to estimate in modern terms, but his works today are considered priceless, with some sold for millions of dollars at auctions.