1864 - 1901

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a French post-Impressionist painter who drew and painted with a sketchy style involving lots of complex linework and who also created illustrative art nouveau posters. He was highly influenced by the Impressionists, specifically Edouard Manet and Edgar Degas, and I believe this can be seen in the creation of texture in his brush and pencil work. Notice the change in direction of lines across the blanket of In Bed, allowing for contours and creases.

In Bed 1893

Toulouse-Lautrec was renowned for being very short in height: he was only just over 5ft as an adult, after gaining a fully grown torso but keeping his child-sized legs when neither healed after breaking in his teens. He eventually died from problems relating to both alcoholism and syphilis.

Though his career was relatively short, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created thousands of paintings and drawings showing his true passion for art and creative power. And this is why he was chosen as my Artist of the Week!

La Toilette 1896