Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a French painter, printmaker, and illustrator born in 1864 in Albi, France, who is celebrated for his vibrant portrayals of the bohemian life in late 19th-century Paris. Born into an aristocratic family, Toulouse-Lautrec was attracted to the gritty underside of society, specifically cabarets, dance halls and brothels — subjects that would become recurring themes in his work.
Many of Toulouse-Lautrec’s works are among his most well-known, often depicting the lively nightlife of Paris — particularly within the Moulin Rouge and its many colorful characters. He was he used to run the show, and he had an eye for capturing the energy and space of these places with bold color, dynamic composition and vibrant brush work.
Toulouse-Lautrec was also a gifted lithographic printer whose extensive oeuvre spanned posters, prints and illustrations in addition to his paintings. His inventive application of color and studio influenced the making of the poster and impacted modern advertising in a major way.
Even as he battled health problems and personal demons throughout his life, Toulouse-Lautrec remained committed to his craft, producing a body of work that was revolutionary for its time and that continues to inspire artists to this day. He is revered as one of the great masters of Post-Impressionism as well as one of the leading practitioners of depicting the spirit of Parisian nightlife.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Quotes
1. “I have tried to do what is true and not ideal.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
2. “Only the human figure exists; landscape is, and should be, no more than an accessory; the painter exclusively of landscape is nothing but a bore.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
3. “A professional model is like a stuffed owl. These girls are alive.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
4. “In our time there are many artists who do something because it is new; they see their value and their justification in this newness. They are deceiving themselves; novelty is seldom the essential. This has to do with one thing only; making a subject better from its intrinsic nature.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
5. “I have always been a pencil.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
6. “Love is when the desire to be desired takes you so badly that you feel you could die of it.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
7. “I had placed my stick on the table, as I do every evening. It had been specially made to suit my height, to enable me to walk without too much difficulty. As I was standing up, a customer called to me: ‘Monsieur, don’t forget your pencil.’ It was very unkind, but most funny.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
8. “The wise woman patterns her life on the theory and practice of modern banking. She never gives her love, but only lends it on the best security and at the highest rate of interest.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
9. “Of course one should not drink much, but often.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
10. “Jealousy will drive you mad.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
11. “I don’t belong to any school. I work in my corner. I admire Degas.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
12. “I paint things as they are. I don’t comment. I record.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
13. “Bonnat tells me, ‘Your painting isn’t bad, it is chic, but even so it isn’t bad, but your drawing is absolutely atrocious.’ So I must gather my courage and start once again…”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
14. “I can paint until I’m forty. After that I intend to dry up.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
15. “Monet’s work would have been even greater if he had not abandoned figure-painting.”
— Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Toulouse-Lautrec Quotes: Why They’re Important
Not only are Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s quotes reflections on his artistic philosophy, but they are also timeless words of wisdom. They challenge us to be our true selves, to wrestle with love’s complexities, to look for joy amid suffering. His voice remains in us, giving us the experience of the testament of art, and the testimony of an indomitable spirit.
Final Thoughts
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s life and work provide a trove of inspiration. [Charles Bukowski quotes] Perhaps some of his incredible quotes about life remain today with a universal audience through his brave and expressive art. Through the exploration of his lexicon, the mind of an artist is revealed, along with universal truths that resonate within us all.
