Who painted Miss May Belfort?

Miss May Belfort was painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1895.

Where can I see Miss May Belfort?

Miss May Belfort is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Miss May Belfort?

Miss May Belfort is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Miss May Belfort

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec , 1895

Miss May Belfort is a print 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

Created in 1895, this print by Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec depicts a young woman identified as May Belfort, a performer active in the Parisian entertainment world of the late nineteenth century. The image is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s focus on theatrical and marginal figures during his most socially engaged period.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a woman in a white dress and large hat, holding a fan and turning her face away, suggesting a moment of private contemplation. Adjacent, a seated man rests his head on his hand, while a piano and scattered sheet music hint at a musical setting, evoking the intimate backstage atmosphere of a performance venue.

Technique & Style

Toulouse‑Lautrec employs loose, sketch‑like lines that convey immediacy and movement, characteristic of his graphic approach. The drawing balances delicate detail—such as the folds of the dress and the texture of the hat—with broader, gestural strokes that emphasize mood over precise realism.

History & Provenance

Executed during the artist’s immersion in Paris’s theatrical circles, the work reflects his interest in documenting the lives of entertainers and their surroundings. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s print and drawing collection.

Artist & collection

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.