Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec turned the nightlife of Paris into some of the most recognizable images of modern art. He populated his paintings and posters with famous dancers, singers, and sex workers, rendering them with rapid, calligraphic brushstrokes and sharp psychological honesty.

Born into an ancient, aristocratic family, severe childhood injuries permanently stunted his growth, leaving him physically alienated from his elite background. Instead of conforming to high-society expectations, he moved to Montmartre, immersing himself completely in its world of dance halls, brothels, and cabarets.

Though chronic alcoholism and illness cut his life short, his unvarnished images became the definitive visual record of the Belle Époque. He remains a master who gave voice and rare dignity to the outcasts of Parisian society.