Toulouse Lautrec: The Life of an Artist - Art History School

The French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was born in Albi, in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France, on 24 November 1864. He was the firstborn child of Count Alphonse and Countess Adele de Toulouse-Lautrec. They were an aristocratic family - descendants of the Counts of Toulouse with an ancestry stretching back almost a thousand years.
Ironically, Toulouse Lautrec’s family background was the opposite of the poor, working class life he would lead in Paris as an artist. Yet Lautrec became one of the most influential post-impressionist artists of the late 19th century. Famous for his humanistic portrayals of sex workers that reveal an uncommon sensitivity, perhaps he was motivated by a sense of identification with the socially marginalized, due to his own physical issues. And also, for his highly individualized poster portrayals of Montmartre entertainers, cabaret dancers and singers such as Jane Avril and Yvette Guilbert. His famous paintings have a great sense of immediacy, but they were carefully prepared.
Lautrec always carried a small sketchbook wherever he went. The thousands of rapid drawings and jotting that survive tell us he drew frequently, and how he developed his great paintings from quick visual impressions. He created just 30 posters, all lithographs, all of which are now regarded as iconic images. For the first time in history, he elevated the medium of advertising to high art, instinctively grasping the concept of celebrity and by interweaving commercial and fine art prefigured many of the ideas of Andy Warhol.
Although Toulouse Lautrec produced many wonderfully inventive artworks, his short life was also the story of a battle with disability, ridicule, disease and alcoholism.
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[@gary1251]

Poor man! He suffered so much, physically and emotionally as so many great composers and artists did. He was terrifically motivated to sketch and paint, thru all the humiliation and pain.900 works in that short lifetime of 37 yrs is amazing. I love seeing the art as you are speaking, Paul. Aloha from Hilo

[@ArtHistorySchool]

He was a wonderful artist despite his problems. Cheers from England

[@Voirreydirector]

Indeed. I knew a young minister who was similarly disproportionate, the pain and stress of a large man’s body on malformed, strengthless legs were constant. It is little wonder the artist became an addict as the only pain avenues of relief available at the time were addictive.

[@albaproctor769]

I’m in artistic bachelorette (Spain) and these videos are saving me from failing and thinking that art history is boring to death. Thank you so much!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are very welcome, good luck with your course work

[@ShelleeGraham]

What a delightful way to learn about art history, with Paul Priestly as our guide. Thank you, sir. Extremely Well Done!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@juliapalmer2344]

As a retired art teacher I love hearing how you treat your history of the artists. I could never teach all of this to my school age students. Thank you for sharing.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are so welcome! Cheers

[@barbaraepye3895]

I love Toulouse-Lautrec's work, so beautiful.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

It really is!

[@leonormartinez6378]

I truly enjoy your videos. In my 50’s, I feel like I’ve gone back to class to learn about artists I briefly learned about in my youth. Thank You!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really pleased you find my videos interesting, it makes it all worthwhile. Cheers

[@AnonYmous-jp8uu]

I was fortunate to learn about Henri in Art class at age 15, and was highly influenced and inspired by his life and work. The amount of great art he produced in such a short time is incredible.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Yes, he is one of my favourite artists too

[@missygilly9917]

I was lucky enough to purchase a few books from this artist & some of his art! I adore the Parisian ones, and of Moulin Rouge. Thank you for showcasing his work. Watching from Canada

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers from England.

[@prettypuff1]

He’s my favorite artist. I love his combination of classes. And his cane flask

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Yes he was a great artist

[@stanleyholder5825]

I found your portrait of Toulouse Lautrec both enlightening and depressing. Such a brilliant talent. Of course you know that. He's a huge inspiration to my own work. Thank you.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really pleased you enjoyed the video. He was an amazing artist.

[@muffassa6739]

My favorite artist

[@ArtHistorySchool]

That's great, he was very special.

[@truecynic1270]

Not "perhaps" but, simply, the best! Oh, the fluid lines, each stroke deliberate, magical AND PERFECT!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

He was a brilliant artist, agreed!

[@andrewfrost8866]

A fantastic new video (and yet another tragic story), Paul thank you so much for these they have really helped me to understand the artist’s, their lives, and their motivations.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thanks Andrew. Have a safe and happy Christmas. Cheers Paul

[@andrewfrost8866]

@@ArtHistorySchool thank you, and you too Paul.

[@cminor99]

Thank you for these wonderful lessons in art history. I'm delighted to have discovered you!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you, welcome to my Channel I hope you enjoy the rest of my videos. Cheers

[@alicialopez9469]

When I was an adolescent I used to read about the French painters and Toulusse lautrec was the most fascinated and interested guy.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

He certainly was a fascinating artist

[@williamgallop9425]

Toulouse-Lautrec also invented a drink, it is called 'Tremblement de Terre' 'Volcano', it has one part absinthe diluted with one part of cognac.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You wouldn't need many of them for a good night.

[@zippsushi]

Beautiful. ‘In Bed’ by Lautrec took my breath away and made him my favorite artist. What an interesting life !

[@ArtHistorySchool]

He certainly was a fascinating artist.

[@alannothnagle]

Truly excellent and highly informative! I had never realized he was such a great artist!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Couldn't agree more!

[@somecrazyartist]

Apparently he was a great cook and loved cooking for his friends as well as his experimental alcoholic concoctions he would serve up from his studio bar/kitchen. Was told by a Parisian while in France that there's a well known book of Henris favorite recipes which survives too this day as French cuisine book.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

I would have loved to be at one of his parties, I bet they were wild. Whether I would have lasted the distance with him is another matter.

[@splodge5714]

Another wonderful video. I saw Lautrec's picture of Valadon, 'The Laundress', at an exhibition. The colours of her white top were wonderful, so vibrant. One of my favourite paintings.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

He was a much under rated painter.

[@ferretface]

I saw "At the Moulin Rouge" in Chicago. It's just fantastic. If I remember the history printed next to it, the figure on the far right was in fact in the original, but was cut away because they thought it was scaring people from buying it. And it was later reattached.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Very true. Cheers

[@LisaHawkinsHotJava]

I "stumbled" on this en route to viewing another video but what a happy accident! Toulouse-Lautrec was simply incredible! And to discover all these amazing paintings (unknown to me) ~ thank you!! His life was so sad and ended much too early but how prolific he was! He created his own world in art, truly one of the great Masters! A few years ago, the Philips Collection (Washington DC) staged an amazing show of Lautrec's original posters and lithographs. I consider myself so blessed to have seen it!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

He was certainly a great painter.

[@user-wx4pd2oz3t]

Thanks great video

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@somecrazyartist]

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is related by blood on my fathers side, my great great uncle... during a time in Paris in 2017 too study at the Louvre was walking down a street ( Rue Tourlaque) in Montmartre , stopped at a corner & looked across the street and saw an unusual window on the second floor with a skylight above it and new it was Henris studio ... was the oddest familiar sensation as was the first time had visited Paris. Coincidentally not long before before leaving too Paris I submitted a painting into an art competition called "The Odd Window".

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Wow, amazing. It's a shame you don't have any of his work. I hope you painting did well in the competition.

[@somecrazyartist]

@@ArtHistorySchool Apparently we had many paintings by great masters before the French revolution and land and castles... aristocrats they were , you can imagine the rest... luckily a chap named Scarlet Pimpernel smuggled relatives out of France too England then some stayed in England, some went to the US and some like my fathers mothers dad headed down under, but it cost them almost everything. Some relatives stayed in France too this day. The painting Odd Window didn't win but they wanted to hold onto it for while. Thankyou for asking, Like yourself am passionate about Art and Art History . Much Appreciated.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Sounds amazing.

[@morganjames5180]

Despite his wonderful loose confident drawing skills,... ..his use of colour was hypnotising and stunning. So delicious , I could almost eat them. Lol. Makes me want to try painting in his style ..... You showed lots of works I have never seen , hadn't realised he did so much. Such a shame he died so young. Bless him. Thank you for another great video. 💚💚💚💚💚

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers

[@briza2022]

14:10 delirium tremens, ciphilis, his obsessions, his childhood illnesses, his loneliness..... incredibly sad family life. Amazing how could he catch up into arts .

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Yes, he must have been a determined character.

[@chelseagirl278]

My favourite KZbin channel!!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Wow, that's great. Thanks

[@deborahmichaels7458]

Fantastic! An Amazing talented & prolific artist! Thank you for opening my eyes to his many works other than posters!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really pleased you enjoyed the video. Cheers Paul

[@elenakarpenko1734]

Thank you! Lautrec has been my favourite since childhood.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are welcome.

[@yanasmd7727]

I’ve watched all of your videos and can’t wait for new ones! The best art history channel on KZbin!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Wow, thank you! Should be another one next week.

[@pmo8672]

Beautiful video, and beautifully told story - bravo!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you very much!

[@lynnharper4422]

Another great video, some of my favourite paintings and lots of life history I had never heard before, as always, many thanks.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Many thanks, really pleased you enjoyed my video. Cheers

[@luciegilchrist240]

Love your videos!!! You are amazing!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you so much!!

[@rforrandom5559]

Enjoyed it immensely. Thank you!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really pleased you enjoyed the video. Cheers

[@skirmishofwit]

I learned so much! What a fascinating character. Excellent video.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers

[@Willsing7]

Well done! Thanks for posting this!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are welcome.

[@MariannaShomero]

Your channel is absolutely amazing! I deeply appreciate your hard work. Thank you!!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Wow, thank you! Cheers

[@tradcatholic]

You are a great storyteller. So happy I have found you. He was among my favorites and like Caravaggio, left way to early. I didn't know it was that early. Thank you 🤓👏

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed the video, hope you enjoy the rest of them. Amazing how many great artists died in their thirties.

[@karensliwinski1243]

Thanks so much for your wonderful videos.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you like them! Cheers

[@giaatta9303]

I love this artist. I learned more about him from your episode. Many many Thanks!!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are welcome

[@rainedavis4173]

Great job Paul. Very informative. Thank you

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Cheers

[@fatoomgierdien2181]

Fantastic channel. Informative, interesting and very well narrated. Thank you

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really pleased you like my videos

[@larrypicard8802]

Thank you. I’ve loved Lautrec for years. He and Matisse are my two favorites.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are so welcome!

[@indianartistmukeshanathani6489]

love your all shows

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thanks, cheers

[@cliffdariff74]

I really enjoy your technique of presenting the images, and text signifiers along with your verbal speaking all at the same time. Works very well. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you very much! That's good to know. Cheers

[@michaelofmelrose]

Excellent production r Priestley. Wish you the best this holiday season and look forward in the new year with additional videos, please don't stop.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you, much appreciated. I hope you have a great Christmas and New Year too.

[@jennyhughes4474]

Thank you for this. He had such a short & difficult life but produced so much wonderful work!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you, He certainly was a great artist.

[@shirleykathan-sayess5764]

Your videos are a newly discovered pleasure! Thank you. ❤️ Shirley

[@ArtHistorySchool]

That's great, I hope you enjoy them. Cheers

[@celiajarvis3168]

Excellent. Toulouse-Lautrec, one of my favorite artists. Just realized how little did I know of his work. Thank you.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really pleased you enjoyed the video, he was a great artist. Cheers

[@dottiegnyc1]

Excellent, enjoyed the information and the photos of some of his work

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Brilliant! Thank you!

[@pankajapathak3136]

Another amazing video! I am thrilled to have found this channel! Cant wait to see more 'Life of an Artist' stories.. Pls do Renoir and Rembrandt soon :)

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you. Next in line is Jacob lawrence and then Mary Cassatt not sure who I'll be doing after that. Cheers

[@TalentedDilittante]

What a great art experience . . . . You're an inspiring teacher, richly informative. Thank you.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[@99thehighstreet69]

I found other shows.I shall watch them.Fantastic.Thanks for your work.Stay well 😀.Great shows.very re watchable again and again.Thankyou

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really glad you like them! Cheers

[@oosmosmoo]

Thanks for these videos! just subscribed

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thanks for the sub! I'm pleased you enjoy my videos.

[@jeannenordquist2463]

Incredibly fascinating story of a French artist. Thank you!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bengarzastudios]

This was excellent. Great attention to detail!!!!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@andrzejmaranda3699]

Art History School: OUTSTANDING!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Cheers

[@ediionescu8424]

For several days I have been trying, not to forget to search, to review a film with the great painter Touluse Lautrec! A unique artist. it resembles Vicent Van Gogh, the way the colors on the canvas explode at a dizzying pace! I really appreciate it!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

May thanks. Cheers

[@binagaikwad6534]

Thank you sir for the insights and lives of these wonderful artists , their art , their struggles , I enjoy the videos and learn so much , thank you

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are very welcome. Cheers

[@amitdannymon7]

you are best, always love to watch your all videos, a request to you do you make a video which tells about how many artists suffered from mental illness and how it's affected their work, please....

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Lots of artists, as with many others suffered mental illness. It would be too big a topic for one video.

[@amitdannymon7]

@@ArtHistorySchool yes sir but you can a video for a artist like you have done before, Or it's a only your fan request now its totally upto you. You will make it or not...🙏🌻

[@Impwerk]

These are so good......the best approach ever. All the photos and works and background......I can never watch just once, thanks for researching so diligently and bringing the times and lives to life. They transport us back in time! Thanks so much! 💎❤

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you like them! They do take time to put together nice you appreciated that. Cheers

[@mlxluvs]

thank you so much for this video, it helped me with my project a lot!!! keep up the great work :)

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad it helped! Cheers

[@jimmhughey1006]

Paul...you’ve done it again! Amazing depth of history, wonderful examples of art and the geography of where Lautrec lived. You always amaze my friend and I constantly learn so much more even if I sometimes think I know a lot about art and artists...LOL! Thank you for such professionalism, documentation, nuances into personalities and personal history. You bring depth in a fun and delightful manner! Jimm

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Many thanks! Really pleased you appreciate the hard work that goes into these video and that you enjoyed it. Cheers Paul

[@beatrizcrespo9975]

Lovely new video! Congratulations!👏👏👏

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you 🤗

[@marisolcormier9738]

Wonderful, wonderful Lautrec! I loved your report and I love the artist so much!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you very much

[@ramelep]

Bravo 👏 BRAVO AGAIN and again to you!! Your work is AMAZING

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@debykalush9199]

I love this! So nice to listen to!! Thank you!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You're so welcome!. Thank you

[@pleiades.puppets]

Thank you for this great short. I didn’t know a lot about his personal life and it was interesting seeing the evolution of his work. I’m thinking that his work must have been pretty shocking for the average person back then. We look at it through a different lens now but consider the 1800s! ❤

[@ArtHistorySchool]

I think you are right, it is interesting what each generation regards as acceptable and shocking

[@StephenS-2024]

Great job!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@timothyhopkins6960]

I really enjoyed your presentations your graphic work is just wonderful. You have know Idea what it brings to my life .

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Wow, thank you! Cheers

[@justintai8725]

That was so interesting thank you so much for the upload.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers

[@lynndamico1448]

Love,love your videos.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you so much! Cheers

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

55 years ago i read every book that had even a paragraph about him. Fascinated by someone who was so different from anything I knew. I painted sweet almost religious subjects. Never had even seen someone take a drink. And knew nothing of city life..i copied his works and tried to understand him. I failed both of these endeavours. This was a well done mini biography. Thank you for sparking my memorie.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really pleased the video inspired you and sparked great memories. Cheers

[@michaelmccoll4612]

I love your series, I use them in my high school art classes

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Wow, that's great, give your students my best wishes. Cheers

[@MiguelHernandez-xm8vb]

Thanks for the video. I really enjoy the video.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@s-o-o-z]

Nicely done. Thank you

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Cheers

[@paulremolina8788]

Thx for your detailed work, I visit the moulin rouge couple of months ago and it was a wonderful experience to walk in a place that inspired this amazing artist.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Paris is a wonderful city

[@sylvainst-pierre8725]

Absolutely amazing. So happy i found this channel. Thank you very much M. Priestley

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are very welcome

[@larrysimon1]

Just Excellent ...............a perfect summary of Henri.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you

[@outtathyme5679]

Well done!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Cheers

[@johndoe604]

Another wonderful video!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@marcianickless2446]

Amazing, thank you

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you liked the video. Cheers

[@kekedwyer6340]

Great video!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@spherevision360]

Thank you for such an interesting video. I love his work and visited Albi a few years ago. A sad life but artistry from one who suffered so much.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers

[@marcelomoura6685]

Great history. I love it!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Cheers

[@ssartre5240]

I have loved your video. Thank you1

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thanks for watching!

[@henrycastle1]

Thank you, Paul

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are welcome.

[@VeraYermakova]

You videos are amazing 👏 thank you ❤

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you like them! Cheers

[@pjlewisful]

thank you for taking me on this fabulous journey

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are very welcome.

[@donnabrown4541]

Thanks.😊Very interesting showing a peek in his life and his extreme painting abilities.😇

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers

[@TheRoseChun]

Fantastic storyteller! Knowledgeable in detail and love his voice and French accent. Better than most artists and school of art. Enjoyed tremendously every one of artists on his list. Thank you!💯♥️♥️♥️

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really pleased you enjoyed my video. I think this is the first time anyone has commented positively on my 'French accent'. Cheers

[@tonycrawford7742]

spell binding , fantastic.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you, Cheers

[@janaenterova6103]

Great video loved it❤❤

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you liked it!! Cheers

[@tedcamahalan]

Thanks for this video..

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are very welcome

[@kolias33]

Excellent! Thanksa lot...

[@ArtHistorySchool]

You are welcome!

[@French-Kiss24]

Thank you for this. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is my favorite artist. However I haven’t seen some of the works you displayed. No wonder. At 900+ paintings/posters, it is hard to take them all in. I love his use of line, doubtless from his exposure to Japanese prints. Apparently, these prints came as newspaper wrappings, surrounding Japanese ceramic exports.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you liked the video. I love Lautrec's work too.

[@michaelpisani5962]

Nice work.

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@docrasmussen6901]

Great and inspicering walk through a great artist life and strong artworks. Thank you

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers

[@joancurran4897]

Excellent document on one of my favorite artists.Many Thanks!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers

[@lastgameplay]

That was SOOO good, Thank You !!

[@ArtHistorySchool]

Really pleased you enjoyed it. Cheers