Toulouse-Lautrec is a French artist of the nineteenth century who worked in similar circles to the Impressionists such as Monet. Even if his name is new to you, it is unlikely that you are unfamiliar with his works as they have become hugely iconic. The so-called “soul of Montmartre”, he captured the streets, lights, music and atmosphere of the bohemian Montmartre district in the late nineteenth century. He was an illustrator and engraver and is best known for the posters that he designed for establishments such as the Moulin Rouge. This key figure of Parisian art history is being showcased in a fantastic exhibition not in Paris but in Pisa at the Palazzo Blu which has become more and more well-known for its world-class exhibitions. Any serious art-lovers who are thinking of holidaying in Tuscany will want to find a luxury villa in Pisa and drop by before the exhibition closes in February.
Toulouse-Lautrec was part of the bohemian art scene of Paris but was also somewhat of an outsider, coming from a well-to-do background and being physically impeded by ill-health and disabilities caused by an accident when he was a child. He, therefore, was the perfect person to document this period in time as he was both a witness and distant enough to record what he saw. He, more than anyone else, was able to accurately portray a city and the lifestyle of a generation: a world of whimsical and colourful characters, a vibrant night-life and a flurry of light and action. The title, “Toulouse-Lautrec. Luci e ombre di Montmartre” (“Toulouse-Lautrec – Lights and Shadows of Montmartre”) suggests this ability to accurately record all aspects of the world around him.
The exhibition tells his, and Paris', story through paintings, drawings, photos and old videos. It allows us to follow through the streets of Paris, brings us into contact with his friends Degas and Van Gogh, shows us the inside of the Moulin Rouge, and delves into the brothels and theatres that featured in his life. More than 180 works, many of which are on display in Italy for the first time, have been brought together in Pisa from public and private French and international collections. This is further complemented by the works of Italians inspired by his art such as Boldini, Natali, Zandomeneghi and Macchiati.
Fans of Lautrec, in particular, won't want to miss this one-of-a-kind exhibition which is a real treat for Tuscany.
Fans of Lautrec, in particular, won't want to miss this one-of-a-kind exhibition which is a real treat for Tuscany.
