Artwork Page for May Belfort

Details / Information for May Belfort

May Belfort

1895

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

(French, 1864–1901)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
oil on millboard
Support
Cardboard
Measurements
Sheet: 62.5 x 48.2 cm (24 5/8 x 19 in.); Framed: 86 x 71.5 x 8.9 cm (33 7/8 x 28 1/8 x 3 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Leonard C. Hanna Jr. 1958.54
Catalogue raisonné
Dortu P588
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec depicted May Belfort in numerous prints, drawings, posters, and paintings.

Description

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was inspired by café concerts, popular places of Parisian entertainment that featured singers or other performers. This drawing depicts May Belfort, one such entertainer, who the artist discovered in 1895 during a visit to the popular nightclub Les Décadents. Belfort soon became one of Lautrec's favorite models and is seen here wearing the ruffled dress and bonnet that became a signature of her performances. The singer adopted a babyish voice and stood motionless on the stage, encouraging her fans to shout lyrics along with her.
Streaking oil drawing with May Belfort, a woman with a light skin tone, around her eyes and her chin highlighted in pink, standing facing slightly to our right. She has black hair and wears a pink dress with puffy shoulders and a ruffled white bonnet. Behind her, brown walls are streaked with teal-green hatches.

May Belfort

1895

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

(French, 1864–1901)
France, 19th century

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