Mary Hamilton 1896

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec sketched ‘Mary Hamilton’ in pencil, capturing the nuances of Parisian nightlife through his distinctive style. Lautrec's focus on performers like Mary Hamilton reflected the burgeoning entertainment industry in late 19th-century France. The Moulin Rouge and other cabarets were not just places of entertainment, but also social melting pots, drawing artists, aristocrats, and members of the working class together. Lautrec was fascinated by these spaces, capturing the energy and the characters that animated them. The sketch is devoid of moral judgment, portraying the subject with a sense of humanity. To understand this piece, it's essential to delve into the social history of Montmartre, the artistic heart of Paris, researching the popular culture of the time to truly appreciate the historical context of the sketch.