The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of My Art Museum
My Art Museum in Seoul has launched an ambitious exhibition titled Toulouse-Lautrec: The Star of Montmartre, marking the 160th anniversary of the birth of the legendary French artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Running from September 14, 2024, to March 3, 2025, this exhibition offers a comprehensive exploration of Toulouse-Lautrec's artistic contributions, transcending his struggles to emphasize his legacy as a revolutionary figure in modern art.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901) is widely recognized for his portrayals of Parisian nightlife during the "Belle Époque" era, especially within the bohemian district of Montmartre. His works—primarily lithographs—depict the vivid, sometimes sordid, life of cabaret performers, dancers, and the city's marginalized communities, drawing attention to his unique mix of human empathy and daring innovation. Despite his aristocratic roots and a life marked by physical disability, Toulouse-Lautrec's art flourished, making him one of the pioneers of modern graphic posters and visual storytelling.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of My Art Museum
The exhibition at My Art Museum takes a fresh approach to Toulouse-Lautrec’s work, shifting the narrative away from the focus on his physical limitations and personal tragedies. Instead, it highlights his creative resilience and experimental spirit, which defied conventional artistic movements of the time. This retrospective illuminates how Toulouse-Lautrec's art reflected a broader range of human experiences, combining elegance with a raw portrayal of the human condition—especially in the faces of those who lived on the fringes of Parisian society.
The exhibition is divided into four thematic sections. The first section, Bohemian, explores Lautrec’s rejection of traditional art schools and his embrace of Montmartre's avant-garde art scene. Lautrec’s bohemian spirit allowed him to freely adopt and experiment with a range of artistic styles, capturing the essence of Montmartre’s subversive and spirited community.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of My Art Museum
The second section, Humanist, delves into Toulouse-Lautrec’s empathy for the marginalized people of Paris. His close observation of the lives of cabaret dancers, sex workers, and performers reveals a deep sense of humanism that permeates his works. Through his art, Lautrec gave a voice to those often overlooked by society, portraying their daily lives with dignity and grace.
In the third section, The Star of Montmartre, the exhibition traces Lautrec’s later works, which cemented his place as a major figure in the modern art world. Despite his untimely death at 36, Toulouse-Lautrec's artistic influence endures, with his posters, sketches, and lithographs continuing to inspire artists across various genres.
The final section, French Art Nouveau Posters, showcases the works of Toulouse-Lautrec’s contemporaries, such as Jules Chéret, Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, and Alphonse Mucha. Together with Lautrec, these artists defined the golden age of French Art Nouveau posters, blending commercial art with high aesthetic values. The exhibition brings these works together, offering visitors a rare opportunity to compare and contrast their contributions to this era’s visual culture.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of My Art Museum
This exhibition is not just a retrospective of Toulouse-Lautrec’s art but a tribute to the dynamic and transformative spirit of Paris in the late 19th century. It serves as a testament to how Lautrec’s art broke down barriers between high and low culture, redefining the role of advertising and commercial posters as legitimate forms of art.
My Art Museum has also organized a series of educational programs alongside the exhibition, including docent-led tours offered three times a day, as well as special workshops designed for children. These programs provide younger audiences with an opportunity to engage in art storytelling, observe and analyze Toulouse-Lautrec’s works, and participate in hands-on creative activities, fostering an early appreciation for fine art.
In offering a holistic view of Toulouse-Lautrec’s career, this exhibition highlights the resilience of an artist whose vision extended beyond his challenges, profoundly shaping modern visual culture. It not only celebrates his contributions to art history but also invites viewers to contemplate the enduring relevance of his work in the 21st century.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of My Art Museum
My Art Museum in Seoul has launched an ambitious exhibition titled Toulouse-Lautrec: The Star of Montmartre, marking the 160th anniversary of the birth of the legendary French artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Running from September 14, 2024, to March 3, 2025, this exhibition offers a comprehensive exploration of Toulouse-Lautrec's artistic contributions, transcending his struggles to emphasize his legacy as a revolutionary figure in modern art.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901) is widely recognized for his portrayals of Parisian nightlife during the "Belle Époque" era, especially within the bohemian district of Montmartre. His works—primarily lithographs—depict the vivid, sometimes sordid, life of cabaret performers, dancers, and the city's marginalized communities, drawing attention to his unique mix of human empathy and daring innovation. Despite his aristocratic roots and a life marked by physical disability, Toulouse-Lautrec's art flourished, making him one of the pioneers of modern graphic posters and visual storytelling.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of My Art Museum
The exhibition at My Art Museum takes a fresh approach to Toulouse-Lautrec’s work, shifting the narrative away from the focus on his physical limitations and personal tragedies. Instead, it highlights his creative resilience and experimental spirit, which defied conventional artistic movements of the time. This retrospective illuminates how Toulouse-Lautrec's art reflected a broader range of human experiences, combining elegance with a raw portrayal of the human condition—especially in the faces of those who lived on the fringes of Parisian society.
The exhibition is divided into four thematic sections. The first section, Bohemian, explores Lautrec’s rejection of traditional art schools and his embrace of Montmartre's avant-garde art scene. Lautrec’s bohemian spirit allowed him to freely adopt and experiment with a range of artistic styles, capturing the essence of Montmartre’s subversive and spirited community.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of My Art Museum
The second section, Humanist, delves into Toulouse-Lautrec’s empathy for the marginalized people of Paris. His close observation of the lives of cabaret dancers, sex workers, and performers reveals a deep sense of humanism that permeates his works. Through his art, Lautrec gave a voice to those often overlooked by society, portraying their daily lives with dignity and grace.
In the third section, The Star of Montmartre, the exhibition traces Lautrec’s later works, which cemented his place as a major figure in the modern art world. Despite his untimely death at 36, Toulouse-Lautrec's artistic influence endures, with his posters, sketches, and lithographs continuing to inspire artists across various genres.
The final section, French Art Nouveau Posters, showcases the works of Toulouse-Lautrec’s contemporaries, such as Jules Chéret, Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, and Alphonse Mucha. Together with Lautrec, these artists defined the golden age of French Art Nouveau posters, blending commercial art with high aesthetic values. The exhibition brings these works together, offering visitors a rare opportunity to compare and contrast their contributions to this era’s visual culture.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of My Art Museum
This exhibition is not just a retrospective of Toulouse-Lautrec’s art but a tribute to the dynamic and transformative spirit of Paris in the late 19th century. It serves as a testament to how Lautrec’s art broke down barriers between high and low culture, redefining the role of advertising and commercial posters as legitimate forms of art.
My Art Museum has also organized a series of educational programs alongside the exhibition, including docent-led tours offered three times a day, as well as special workshops designed for children. These programs provide younger audiences with an opportunity to engage in art storytelling, observe and analyze Toulouse-Lautrec’s works, and participate in hands-on creative activities, fostering an early appreciation for fine art.
In offering a holistic view of Toulouse-Lautrec’s career, this exhibition highlights the resilience of an artist whose vision extended beyond his challenges, profoundly shaping modern visual culture. It not only celebrates his contributions to art history but also invites viewers to contemplate the enduring relevance of his work in the 21st century.
