Artwork

May Belfort

May Belfort, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1895
May Belfort, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1895

May Belfort is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

May Belfort is a drawing by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, portraying the Parisian nightclub singer in her characteristic attire, capturing the essence of her unique stage presence.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing focuses on May Belfort, a performer at Les Décadents, known for her childlike voice and motionless stage demeanor. Her ruffled dress and bonnet, depicted here, were integral to her persona.

Technique & Style

While the provided description highlights Lautrec's capture of Belfort's persona, the drawing itself showcases his ability to convey character through line and composition, though the specific technique (e.g., medium, brushwork) is not detailed here.

History & Provenance

Created after Lautrec discovered Belfort in 1895 at Les Décadents, this drawing is one of several works featuring her, indicating her significance as a model for the artist during this period.

Context

The piece reflects the Parisian nightlife of the late 19th century, with café concerts like those at Les Décadents being central to the city's entertainment scene, influencing Lautrec's artistic themes.

Legacy

Through works like May Belfort, Lautrec contributed to the documentation and allure of Paris's nocturnal entertainment culture, leaving a lasting impact on how this era is visually remembered.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Artist

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Comte Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Montfa (24 November 1864 – 9 September 1901), known as Toulouse-Lautrec (French: ), was a French painter, printmaker, draughtsman, caricaturist, and illustrator.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.