TOULOUSE-LAUTREC: COLOUR LIBRARY

Toulouse-Lautrec
An introduction to the work of Toulouse-Lautrec.Edward Lucie-Smith

One of a series of introductory books on the great masters and movements in art
This volume on Toulouse-Lautrec contains an extensive essay, 48 full-page colour plates, and is accompanied by extensive notes and comparative illustrations
Provides incomparable value
Highly regarded for its insight and authority

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) is rightly one of the best known of all nineteenth-century French artists. He conveys with a unique flair the glitter and glamour of Parisian nightlife, and at the same time lays bare its artificiality.

Crippled and stunted form childhood by two falls that broke his thighs, he was forever isolated from society by his deformity. His response was to immerse himself in the dross of society. He threw himself into the capital’s demi-monde and chose to portray the more trivial – if vital – subjects: actresses, clowns, dancers, brothels, race-tracks. He also, finally, turned to alcohol, which caused his collapse and death.

Yet his spirit remained surprisingly unscathed, as did the enormous richness of this talent. At first influenced by the Impressionists – he particularly admired Degas – he produced classics in many media: oil paintings, posters, lithographs and drawings, a selection of which are here reproduced in 48 full-colour plates, forming an ideal introduction to this most spontaneous of artists.