Panneaux pour la baraque de la Goulue, à la Foire du Trône à Paris 1895

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created this panel for La Goulue's booth at the Foire du Trône in Paris. It's an image that plunges us into the heart of Montmartre's nightlife, a space where class and entertainment collided. Lautrec, who himself straddled the line between aristocracy and the bohemian art world, portrays the famous dancer La Goulue. Her performances captivated audiences drawn from all walks of life, as can be seen in the range of people surrounding her in the image. She rises as a figure who both challenged and embodied the societal norms of her time. Consider the male gaze so present in the work, as the dancer is observed by the audience in the booth. The artist himself once said "I paint things as they are. I don’t judge." But is this true? What emotional dynamic is at play for those present, the audience and the subject? These panels offer a window into a world of spectacle and social commentary, reflecting the complexities of identity, performance, and power in the Belle Époque.