Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a famous French artist and illustrator, celebrated for his images of cafes and posters advertising performances of famous dancers. However, he was also a skilled painter, who had a profound interest in Japanese art, and an aspiring chef. Toulouse-Lautrec died at the age of only 36, and as a tribute, his friends published a book of his famous recipes. Read on to learn more about Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, his works, and his hobbies.
1. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Comes From a Noble Family
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s full name was Count Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa. The title, as well as the sheer length of the name, demonstrated his noble origins. His parents divorced soon after his birth, and he frequently moved houses. This affected the consistency and quality of his education. One thing remained consistent: his passion for drawing, which he demonstrated from the age of three.
Toulouse-Lautrec’s parents were closely related, which might have contributed to his issues with mental and physical health. Due to a rare genetic condition, he had unusually fragile bones, which, as it turned out, could not heal properly. At the age of just 13, he broke both of his legs, and this trauma changed his entire life. Although the bones healed, his legs stopped growing, and by adulthood, he turned into a grown man with unnaturally short, childlike legs.
His parents, ashamed of their son’s condition, lied about the genetic disease, explaining that Henri’s disability came from an unfortunate horse riding accident. The trauma essentially ruined his chances of integrating into the high society of his parents—he could not attend balls, serve in the military, or even ride a horse. Similarly, his chances of marrying and starting a family were low, given the prejudice and ableism of society.
2. His Disability Affected His Social Status
Lautrec’s disability both excluded him from the social circles fit for a man of his ancestry and offered new, surprising possibilities. Deemed unfit for the respectable society by the upper classes, he found a company in the crowd that was more open and welcoming to those who differed from the norm. He frequented cabarets, bars, and dance halls. From the family chateau, he moved to Montmartre and, for a while, even lived in a brothel. There, sex workers accepted him gladly and eagerly posed for paintings. These women were not used to being treated by men with such politeness and care, which was natural for Toulouse-Lautrec. They developed a close, friendly relationship, which allowed the artist to paint intimate and personal portraits of the women.
Another one of his passions was the circus. He often painted acrobats and animals, struck by their skills and the aesthetics of performance. He particularly loved dogs and horses. However, Lautrec’s disability gave him a certain disadvantage. Unable to ride horses since childhood, he lacked an understanding of the physical positions of riders and often made mistakes in portraying anatomy.
3. He Collected Japanese Art
Like many artists of his era, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was interested in Japanese art and aesthetics. After Japan opened its borders to foreigners in the middle of the 19th century, Japanese fabrics, prints, and other works of art appeared on European markets. Toulouse-Lautrec collected prints and calligraphy and even owned several kimonos he wore at home.
Still, Toulouse-Lautrec’s interest in Japanese art and culture was far from simple imitation. Instead, he adopted Japanese techniques and conceptual decisions in his own works. For his paintings, he adopted the asymmetrical compositions often found in Japanese works, as well as the minimalist treatment of backgrounds. He also practiced calligraphy but rarely incorporated this skill into his work.
4. Toulouse-Lautrec Became Famous for Painting Cabaret Posters
Despite the wide range of topics and creative interests, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec became mostly famous for his posters announcing the shows at the Moulin Rouge, the legendary cabaret that opened in 1899. To advertise the venue, he painted dancers performing cancan—a scandalous dance often considered offensive and obscene, as the dancers raised their legs so high they demonstrated their stockings and underwear.
One of his most famous frequently painted models was the dancer and singer Jane Avril. Avril had a difficult childhood with an abusive single mother and ran away from home in her early teens. Soon, she was allegedly hospitalized with a nervous movement disorder, which included convulsions and tics. After several years of treatment, she channeled her disorder into dancing and became known for her strange and expressive performance style.
5. He Was Friends With Vincent van Gogh
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec met Vincent van Gogh in 1886 at an open painting lesson in the studio of a Parisian artist. By that time, Van Gogh’s mental state was already collapsing, and he was not the most pleasant person to be around. According to contemporaries’ notes, the Dutch artist had sudden violent outbursts and fits of nonsensical screaming in bad French. Still, that did not stop Toulouse-Lautrec, as he noticed the unique and original painting style of his new friend. The two artists exhibited together for two years and developed a friendship.
Toulouse-Lautrec valued Van Gogh’s friendship and art so much that he even challenged one of his unfortunate critics, Belgian artist Henri de Groux, to a duel. The critic certainly did not want to fight and had to apologize for his behavior. Some historians note that de Groux refused a duel only because Paul Signac threatened to kill him if he harmed his friend Toulouse-Lautrec.
6. He Was Close With Suzanne Valadon
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec had a deep connection with another outstanding artist in his circle, the painter Suzanne Valadon. Valadon used to be a model, and she taught herself how to draw during long posing sessions in Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s studio. Toulouse-Lautrec admired her talent and character. Mischievous and quick-witted, she helped him organize parties and entertain guests. Valadon was petite, nearly the same height as her friend, which may have made him feel more at ease. The two artists might have been romantically involved for a time. Toulouse-Lautrec ardently supported Valadon’s artistic practice and even bought several of her early works. He also introduced her to Edgar Degas, who helped Valadon refine her style and launch a full-blown career.
7. He Suffered From Alcoholism
Unfortunately, the trauma of rejection by his own class, the mockery of peers, and the rejections imposed upon Lautrec by his disability eventually took their toll on his mental health. Being surrounded by underprivileged people who drowned their problems in alcohol certainly did not help the artist stay sober.
Although initially, Toulouse-Lautrec preferred mostly fine wine, over the years, he switched to hard liquors, mixing absinthe with cognac. Allegedly, he even hollowed out his walking cane to use it as a flask. Severe alcoholism and syphilis contracted during drunken parties contributed to the artist’s untimely death at the age of just 36.
8. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Wrote a Cookbook
Apart from painting, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec had another passion in life—cooking. He was famous for designing elaborate and creative menus for his home parties (Suzanne Valadon often acted as his assistant). He was so focused on experiencing the best tastes he allegedly always carried with him a nutmeg and a small grater to add flavor to his drinks.
After the artist died, his friend, the art dealer Maurice Joyant, compiled his favorite recipes, menus, and useful tips into a book titled The Art of Cuisine. The first small edition of the book was intended as a tribute to the late artist, but soon Joyant faced the demand from the general public. Gradually, the small book transformed into a tome illustrated with Toulouse-Lautrec’s paintings and prints of Parisian cafes and restaurants. The book included strawberry tarts, steamed eels, and lobsters, as well as instructions on how to mix cocktails and arrange cheese plates. The Art of Cuisine was something more than a cookbook—it represented an entire era and a cultural context in which Toulouse-Lautrec and his friends lived. The artist designed and tried all those recipes to feed those who cared about the most—his friends, colleagues, and models.
