The Art of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec - 1864-1901

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a prominent 19th century French painter known for his impressionist images of the Parisian night scenes. Many of his paintings featured actresses, dancers, circus performers, or prostitutes. He spent weeks--sometimes months--in brothels painting scenes.

It was by watching women prostitutes that Lautrec became acquainted with lesbian love, finding that these women often turned to each other for love. He found artistic inspiration in their love, and of two women sleeping entwined on a bed, he once said: "This is superior to everything. Nothing can compare to something so simple." The images presented here are among his best known lesbian scenes.

The Kiss, 1892 (~41k)

In Bed, 1892 (~125k)

Les Deux Amies, 1894 (~33k)

At the Moulin Rouge: The Women Dancing, 1892 (~37k)