The Artist's Dog Flèche

The Artist's Dog Flèche by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is an intimate and highly personal study completed in 1881. Executed skillfully in oil on wood, this small-scale painting captures the terrier Flèche, a beloved companion belonging to the artist's mother. The work offers a rare glimpse into the private life of Toulouse-Lautrec, created during the formative years of his career, specifically within the transitional period spanning 1876 to 1900.

The choice of the sturdy wood panel as a support contributes to the piece's immediate intensity, allowing the young artist to explore texture and quick application of paint. Toulouse-Lautrec utilizes simple, economical brushstrokes to render the dog’s white coat and alert, intelligent expression. The composition focuses exclusively on the animal, emphasizing Flèche’s personality rather than placing him in a detailed domestic setting. This focus on domestic animals and portraiture was typical practice for French artists of the late nineteenth century as they mastered their technique prior to tackling larger, more complex historical or genre scenes.

Dating from a decade before Toulouse-Lautrec achieved international fame for his posters and prints documenting Parisian cabaret life, this painting provides critical insight into the development of his observational skills. The artist’s early training informed the directness and psychological penetration that characterized his later, famous works. As a significant example of French painting from the era, this work currently resides in the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its age and cultural importance, high-resolution images and prints of this artwork are often available through public domain art initiatives, furthering scholarly access to Toulouse-Lautrec’s foundational oeuvre.