Le Rire; Au Moulin Rouge 1896

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec crafted this print, *Au Moulin Rouge*, using lithography. Its sketch-like quality and delicate coloration evoke a sense of fleeting moments captured from Parisian nightlife. Note how the composition is structured around layers of figures receding into the background. The linear quality of the drawing, combined with the minimal use of color, emphasizes form and the relationships between the figures. We see the artist playing with foreground and background, blurring the lines to create a sense of depth and movement. The formal arrangement reflects broader themes about spectatorship and the construction of social scenes. The artist's strategic use of line and form disrupts conventional representation to investigate modern life. Consider how the lithographic medium itself contributes to the overall aesthetic and the way it aligns with the artwork’s themes of transience and observation.