Albert (René) Grenier (1858–1925)

The painting Albert (René) Grenier (1858–1925) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1887, is an intimate early portrait executed in oil on wood. This important work captures Albert Grenier, a figure often associated with the Parisian artistic and literary circles frequented by the artist, rendered with the expressive, gestural brushstrokes characteristic of the Post-Impressionist period. Working on a relatively small wood panel allowed Toulouse-Lautrec to maintain the immediacy of a study while building up rich color and texture, subtly characterizing the sitter’s disposition.

The selection of Grenier as a portrait subject aligns with Toulouse-Lautrec’s lifelong preoccupation with documenting the individuals inhabiting his social sphere, moving beyond academic ideals to capture authentic, modern personalities. In Albert (René) Grenier (1858–1925), the artist focuses intensely on the man’s face, utilizing a simplified, darkened background to enhance the sense of the sitter’s presence and psychological depth. This attention to individual character elevates the painting from a simple likeness to a profound visual documentation of late 19th-century Parisian life.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s technique in this period shows a clear transition from the lessons of Impressionism toward the sharper social realism he would later perfect in his renowned poster designs and Moulin Rouge scenes. The work provides valuable insight into his formative development as a painter. This significant piece is housed within the extensive collection of European paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Given the historical importance of the artist and the early date of the work, high-quality prints of this painting, alongside many other famous portraits by Toulouse-Lautrec, often circulate in the public domain, making his foundational artistic contributions accessible worldwide.