At the Moulin Rouge: The Dance (1890) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French, 1864 - 1901Philadelphia Museum of Art
1. He was an aristocrat
His full name was Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa, meaning he was descended from the counts of Toulouse, Lautrec, and Montfa. Had he outlived his father, he would have held the title of Count of Toulouse-Lautrec.
Portrait of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (1893) by Charles MaurinDavison Art Center, Wesleyan University
2. His short stature was the result of accidents
Toulouse-Lautrec stood about 1.42m or 4'8" tall. His short stature was the result of breaking his legs in two childhood accidents. He never fully recovered, and it's been suggested he had a rare bone disease. He had to walk with a cane and faced ridicule from many.
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3. Often at the Moulin Rouge
When the Moulin Rouge opened in 1889, Toulouse-Lautrec was asked to design the posters. Later, he was given his own reserved seat, and the bar exhibited his paintings. It was here that he found many of the subjects of his paintings.
Jane Avril (1893) by Henri de Toulouse-LautrecLos Angeles County Museum of Art
4. Friends with Avril
Jane Avril was a can-can dancer at the Moulin Rouge. She acquired the nickname La Mélinite, after a brand of explosives, for her erratic, contorted style of dancing. She and Toulouse-Lautrec had a close friendship, and he depicted her in some of his best-known artworks.
The Englishman (William Tom Warrener, 1861–1934) at the Moulin Rouge (1892) by Henri de Toulouse-LautrecThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
5. He was Inspired by Japanese and impressionist art
Toulouse-Lautrec's art was influenced by the fashion for Japanese-style woodblock prints. He often made multiple versions of the same artwork, one in paint and one in poster form…
The Englishman at the Moulin Rouge (1892) by Henri de TOULOUSE-LAUTRECArt Gallery of South Australia
… his adaptability and willingness to turn his art into cheap printed material made him a successful commercial artist.
Sescau, Photographe (1894) by Henri de Toulouse-LautrecLos Angeles County Museum of Art
6. He was a prolific artist
His professional life lasted only 19 years. Yet in this time he made 737 canvas paintings, 275 watercolours, 363 prints and posters, and 5,084 drawings as well as some ceramics and stained glasses - and countless others since lost to history.
These Ladies in the Dining Room (1893–1895) by Henri de Toulouse-LautrecMuseum of Fine Arts, Budapest
7. He wrote a cookbook
While he wasn't painting, he found time to perfect his culinary skills, and even wrote a cookbook. By all accounts he was very hospitable to guests, making sure everyone always had a drink to hand.
The Hangover (Suzanne Valadon) (1887 - 1889) by Henri de Toulouse-LautrecHarvard Art Museums
8. He invented the Earthquake Cocktail
Mocked for his short stature and for taking menial commercial work, he turned to alcohol. He was a heavy drinker and invented the 'earthquake cocktail', half a glass of absinthe, half of cognac. Nobody's saying it's refined, but it certainly will make you drunk.
Sleepless Night (Nuit blanche) (1893) by Henri de Toulouse-LautrecNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
9. He died of alcoholism
Years of heavy drinking eventually took its toll. He collapsed and was taken for three months to a sanatorium to recover. He briefly recovered, before succumbing to a potent mixture of alcoholism and syphilis on 9 September, 1901. With his dying words, he cursed his father.
