Miss May Belfort 1895

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created Miss May Belfort using lithographic crayon and spatter on paper. These are familiar materials, but here, they’re used in a way that feels almost brutally direct. The rough quality of the crayon gives the piece a sense of immediacy, as if the artist captured the performer in a fleeting moment. Look at how the spatter creates a mottled texture, particularly in the background. It’s not about perfect representation; it's about capturing an atmosphere. The lithographic process itself – printing from a stone – allowed for multiples, fitting with Lautrec’s interest in popular culture and making art accessible. Consider the social context too. Lautrec depicted performers and nightlife in Montmartre, engaging with a world of entertainment that was both glamorous and gritty. It's a world of labor, even if it looks like fun. Ultimately, this work reminds us that art isn't just about skill or beauty, but about how materials and processes can reflect social realities.