Artwork

Les grands concerts de l'opera

Les grands concerts de l'opera, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, paint, 1895
Les grands concerts de l'opera, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, paint, 1895

Les grands concerts de l'opera is a paint print by the Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Les grands concerts de l'opera, created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1895, is a print produced using a six-color photomechanical process. The work captures a dynamic scene from Paris's theatrical and social landscape of the late 19th century.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a chaotic moment in a concert hall, with a conductor on a platform, a gesturing figure behind him, and a dog sniffing a hat in the front row. This composition reflects Toulouse-Lautrec's fascination with the vibrant, often disorderly aspects of Parisian nightlife and performance culture.

Technique & Style

Characterized by flat, bright colors, rough lines, and the absence of deep shadows, the print showcases Toulouse-Lautrec's distinctive graphic style. Quick, sketchy strokes convey the energy and movement of the live performance, aligning with the artist's expressive approach to capturing dynamic scenes.

History & Provenance

Born in 1864 into French aristocracy, Toulouse-Lautrec's life was marked by adolescent leg injuries that influenced his eventual immersion in Paris's artistic and nightlife circles. *Les grands concerts de l'opera* is a product of this period of engagement with the city's theatrical and social world.

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: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.