Toulouse-Lautrec and the Stars of Paris

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901) captured the spectacle of modern Paris in evocative posters, prints and paintings. 

This exhibition explores his depictions of the stars and entertainments of Montmartre, a neighborhood of heady bohemian pleasure. Thematic sections highlight Toulouse-Lautrec’s formal innovations and the changing artistic and social landscapes of Paris, showcasing scenes of the city by day and night; cafés, cabarets and theaters; and celebrities of the age. The display also incorporates works by Toulouse-Lautrec’s contemporaries Edgar Degas, Honoré Daumier, Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Vuillard and others—presenting him in the context of his heroes, peers and followers. 

Organized by the MFA in partnership with the Boston Public Library, the exhibition draws on both institutions’ rich holdings of graphic works by the artist, who is often described as embodying the spirit of “modern freedom.”

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website