At the Moulin Rouge, la Goulue and Her Sister (Au Moulin Rouge, la Goulue et sa soeur))

At the Moulin Rouge, la Goulue and Her Sister (Au Moulin Rouge, la Goulue et sa soeur)) is a celebrated color lithograph created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1892. This pivotal work exemplifies the artist's groundbreaking use of the print medium for both fine art and popular consumption during the burgeoning French art scene of the late 19th century. As a master of color lithography, Toulouse-Lautrec employed bold, expressive lines and often flat areas of intense color, techniques that revolutionized graphic design and poster art. The period spanning 1876 to 1900 saw significant cultural shifts in Paris, and this piece captures the vitality and often raw reality of Montmartre’s notorious nightlife.

The subject matter centers on the legendary cabaret star, Louise Weber, famously known by her stage name, La Goulue ("The Glutton"), depicted here alongside her sister. Toulouse-Lautrec, an intimate chronicler of the bohemian district, rendered the celebrities and everyday patrons of venues like the Moulin Rouge with unflinching observation. Unlike earlier depictions of Parisian high society, Toulouse-Lautrec avoids romanticizing his subjects, instead focusing on the immediacy and sometimes abrasive glamour of the café-concert world. The composition, characterized by dynamically cropped figures and a strong sense of movement, reflects the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which deeply inspired many French Post-Impressionists.

This particular print serves as an essential document of the era, showcasing Toulouse-Lautrec’s ability to imbue commercial and graphic artwork with profound psychological depth. The clarity and innovation evident in this work cemented his legacy not only as a painter but also as the undisputed father of the modern poster. The profound impact of Toulouse-Lautrec’s graphic output during the decade leading up to 1900 is visible across subsequent generations of artists. The work’s status in the public domain ensures its wide study and recognition as one of the most significant prints produced in the 1890s. This outstanding example of French printmaking is currently held in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art.