At the Moulin Rouge: La Goulue and Her Sister

"At the Moulin Rouge: La Goulue and Her Sister," created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1892, is a seminal example of late 19th-century French printmaking. Executed as a color lithograph, this piece showcases the artist’s mastery of the graphic medium, which he helped elevate by blurring the lines between commercial advertising and fine art. Toulouse-Lautrec often utilized strong, simplified outlines and flat areas of vibrant color, a stylistic choice heavily influenced by imported Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e), resulting in dynamic and immediate compositions favored by Parisian audiences.

The artwork captures the celebrity fin-de-siècle dancer La Goulue (Louise Weber), the undisputed star of the Moulin Rouge, shown here alongside her sister in a characteristic public setting. As an aristocratic observer of Parisian life, Toulouse-Lautrec became the unparalleled chronicler of the often-scandalous nightlife of Montmartre, France. He focused on capturing candid moments and the psychological reality of his subjects. This particular depiction is less about the dramatic energy of the dance hall and more about a momentary, intimate interaction observed away from the stage lights.

Although primarily known for his preparatory drawings and paintings, works classified as prints, such as this lithograph, form a core part of Toulouse-Lautrec’s influential legacy, demonstrating his commitment to widely disseminated, accessible art. The artist's focus on celebrity portraiture and the theater scene established his reputation across Europe. This significant graphic work is a highlight of the French collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art.