At the Moulin Rouge, Toulouse-Lautrec

  In the late nineteenth century, Paris was the center of the Art world, and  most noted was the Impressionist group led by Claude Monet.  However as the century was drawing to its close, a sizable group of independent artists were making their mark and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was one of the best.
   Here we have his painting, At the Moulin Rouge. It is an oil on canvas painted between 1892 and 1895.  It is a large work, 48" x 55" and is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
   Toulouse-Lautrec has an interesting life which I encourage you to research.  He was not interested in working with natural light but rather interiors illuminated with candle and gas fixtures. His work portrayed friends and characters dwelling in the nightlife of Paris, and this painting is a perfect example.  All of the main figures in the painting are known, just like Renoir's Luncheon, and here, Toulouse-Lautrec has included himself.  In the upper center of the painting are a row of four men. He is the second from the top, the short figure walking behind the table with the tall man.
   Compositionally everything about this painting is amazing.  If you divide the painting in half horizontally, notice all the faces, people are in the upper portion.  A huge triangle blocks the lower left, but look close; the line of that triangle is repeated almost three times, each pointing down toward the black dress of the cut off woman on the right.  Across the back wall is a row of mirrors divided by subtle lines creating a rhythm pattern.  This is a complementary color harmony composed almost entirely of green and orange.  (see earlier post on color)
    How daring was Toulouse-Lautrec!  What is our center of attention?  Best guess is the woman's green face on the right, but she bounces the eye to the seated woman at the table and finally to the white edge of the table. 
    Notice the artist does not comment, leaves no innuendo or suggestion of feeling about this scene, he only records.  So, do you want to join in?  Is this a scene you would enjoy?   Let me know.  I am waiting.
   Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.

Comments

  1. charguthSeptember 11, 2019 at 3:19 PM

    His life is certainly as interesting as his art. Research tells me the tall person beside him is his cousin who often accompanied him to the night spots. As you said, the familiar people at the table are a critic, a dancer, a salesman, a photographer, and an unknown women in the red chignon. I would like to listen in on their conversation!!! The group seems to have a somewhat private area, because of the bold wood railing. Supposedly Lautrec did an earlier sketchy painting and then revised and transformed it. I am impressed by the strong color and drama he puts into his paintings, and they always appear spontaneous. He catches the moment and gives his characters class and importance. I'm a fan of his art.

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