Two Dogs 

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec sketched “Two Dogs” using pen and ink in the late 19th century, a period marked by significant social stratification and the burgeoning of modern art. Toulouse-Lautrec, born into aristocracy but living with physical disabilities, often found himself on the margins of Parisian society. He spent a lot of time drawing the performers of Montmartre, and these drawings of animals reflect his empathy for those on the periphery. Here, the elegant lines describing the larger dog contrast with the smaller dog drawn with round, cartoonish features. Both drawings stand apart from the traditional animal portraiture of the time. Dogs, often symbols of loyalty and status, are here stripped of their conventional representation. In this drawing, Toulouse-Lautrec captures their essence with both humor and affection. The emotional resonance of this work lies in its ability to reveal character through simple lines, echoing the artist's broader project of portraying the unvarnished realities of life.