Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, born in 1864 in Albi, France, was a French painter, printmaker, and illustrator known for his vivid depictions of the bohemian life of late 19th-century Paris. Despite being born into an aristocratic family, Toulouse-Lautrec was drawn to the gritty underworld of cabarets, dance halls, and brothels, which became frequent subjects of his art.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s most famous works often portrayed the vibrant nightlife of Paris, particularly the Moulin Rouge and its colorful characters. He had a keen eye for capturing the energy and atmosphere of these spaces, using bold colors, dynamic compositions, and expressive brushwork.

In addition to his paintings, Toulouse-Lautrec was a skilled lithographer, producing a vast body of work that included posters, prints, and illustrations. His innovative use of color and design revolutionized the art of the poster and had a lasting impact on the advertising industry.

Despite struggling with health issues and personal demons throughout his life, Toulouse-Lautrec remained dedicated to his art, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking work that continues to influence artists today. He is celebrated as one of the most important figures of the Post-Impressionist movement and a master of capturing the essence 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