Tune In to the Wheel

Take an audio tour of Toulouse-Lautrec's Belle Époque scene from the MASP

By Google Arts & Culture

The Wheel (1893) by Henri de Toulouse-LautrecMASP - Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand

The Wheel (Detail 1)
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During the Belle Époque, Montmartre is alive with famous faces - artists, intellectuals, dancers. If you want to see them in a moment of real "life", Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec has the answer.

The Wheel (Detail 2)
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One of several choreographed cabaret staples is a 'wheel' shape created by a dress. Toulouse-Lautrec's scene focuses on this area, but only depicts it in a sketched form. 

The Wheel (Detail 3)
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Stilll, it's the most vital part of the work. The painter lets us see the rapid pencil and brush strokes which he used to paint from backstage.

The Wheel (Detail 4)
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The painter's eye concentrates on the dancer's face, concealed by heavy makeup. It's a frank eye, which captures every aspect of the Parisian cabaret without judgement. 

The Wheel (Detail 5)
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It's Loïe Fuller, a cabaret dancer famous for performing in flowing, elaborate dress. In this fleeting moment, we've become her audience. Does she deserve an applause?

Zoom in and explore The Wheel for yourself, here.

Credits: Story

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