Henri Toulouse Lautrec

Born: November 24, 1864
City and Country of Origin: Albi, France
Painting School: Post Impressionist
Art Training: He studied with French academic painters L. J. F. Bonnat and Fernand Cormon
Exhibitions:
Awards:
Major Works: "Divon Japonaise," "Moulin Rouge," "Ambassadeurs"
Henri Toulouse Lautrec Biography: He was born into one of France's oldest aristocratic families. He was a sickly child. At the age of 12 he broke his left leg and at the age of 14 he broke his right leg. Neither leg healed properly and both legs stopped growing. This contributed to his diminutive stature. While he convalesced his mother encourage him to paint.

When he was old enough to leave home he moved to Paris where he lived in the Montmartre section of Paris, the entertainment and bohemian section of the city. It is here that he frequented the circuses and nightclubs that became the subject matter for many of his paintings and posters. He loved to carouse the nightclub scene at night socializing with the performers and patrons while he sketched. Eventually his heavy drinking and lifestyle led to his early demise.
Died: September 9, 1901