The Horses of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Pt 2

Self Portrait in Front of a MirrorHenri de Toulouse-Lautrec was born in southern France to an aristocratic family during the mid 19th century. He had a weak & ill childhood which left him somewhat physically deformed.

Enjoying the Bawdy Life

Henri was a strange little man, oddly misshapen due to broken bones as a child. He took to the bawdy night life of bars & brothels and became a heavy drinker. While much of his art reflects the people with which he shared his time (loose women and burlesque dancers), he also had a softer side. The softer Henri enjoyed the circus and had an obvious appreciation for the equine form. So far I’ve found horses in over 30 of his pieces, so if you haven’t seen the first post of Henri’s horses be sure to check it out.

His soft, minimalist approach manages to define his subjects emotionally. His work often provides us with a brief moment of intimacy with the subject of his scrutiny.

At The Circus Fernando: Rider on a White Horse

At The Circus Fernando: Rider on a White Horse

Gunner Saddle Horse

Gunner Saddle Horse

Poster for The German Babylon

Poster for The German Babylon

Tethered Horse

Tethered Horse

At the Circus: The Spanish Steps

At the Circus: The Spanish Steps

The White Horse Gazelle

The White Horse Gazelle

Horse Fighting His Groom

Horse Fighting His Groom

At The Circus: Horse & Monkey Dressage

At The Circus: Horse & Monkey Dressage

Two Knights in Armor

Two Knights in Armor

Not Quite Done Yet

Believe it or not I’ve got more of Toulouse-Lautrec’s work to come, so be sure to check back next week. Until then be sure to check out pt 1 and go visit more horses of the masters.