Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is one of the most recognizable painters and graphic artists of French art at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Born in 1864, he came from an aristocratic family, which allowed him to pursue his passion for art without financial pressure. In 1882, he moved to Paris, where he studied under renowned academics. However, he soon departed from academic conventions, developing his own distinctive style. Instead of traditional portraits, Lautrec became fascinated with the everyday life of Montmartre in Paris—painting scenes from cabarets, theaters, circuses, and brothels. His works are full of life, dynamism, and honesty, with his first major success being a poster created for the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret.
Toulouse-Lautrec remained closely connected to the bohemian artistic world, which became the primary subject of his works. His unique linework and talent for capturing movement and the atmosphere of a place made him a pioneer of modern poster art and lithography, having a significant influence on applied arts.
However, the artist struggled with serious health problems. Genetic defects caused his body to be disproportionately built, leading to pain and disability. Over time, he became addicted to alcohol and also suffered from syphilis. He died young, at the age of just 36, yet his work remains an enduring part of art history, and his creations are today symbolic of the *fin de siècle*.
