How to Identify Paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was born into an aristocratic family. He was a painter, printmaker, illustrator and draftsman. Lautrec's legs, both broken when he was young, healed improperly and stunted his stature, leaving the artist with feelings of alienation and insecurity. He lived a bohemian existence in the Montmartre section of Paris. His work depicts turn-of-the-century Parisian nightlife. Read on to learn how to identify paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec.

Instructions

1. Look at the subject matter. Toulouse-Lautrec painted scenes of the night life that included cafes, theaters and cabarets.

2. Note the choice of medium. He did drawings, color lithography and posters. Later in life, he also did oil painting.

3. Study his work, beginning with one of his most famous works, "At the Moulin Rouge." This oil painting is of the cabaret done between 1892 and 1895. It is theatrical with the greenish light cast on the lower right had figure's face. The painting has an unreal atmosphere. Curving contours define the figures. These are typical characteristic of Lautrec's work.

4. Examine his color lithographs. A typical example would be "Jane Avril at the Jardin de Paris."

5. Confirm his style. Toulouse-Lautrec had a sure line and stylized flatness. He used color contrasts and brilliant patterning. His approach was gestural. He captured the essence of his subject quickly. His compositions, perspective and flattening of shapes reflect the influence of Japanese art.

6. Study his drawings. He was a prolific artist and developed strong draftsmanship skills. He spent much time drawing his subjects.

7. Notice the artist's unsentimental approach to his subjects. He does not idealize them, but seeks to depict the truth.