As every year, the town of Tourrette-Levens is organizing summer art exhibitions around themes related to the circus universe. From June 24th to September 24th, the main exhibition is dedicated to “Toulouse-Lautrec and the Circus.”
Taken from a private collection, it unveils the artist to the public. It consists of 39 original lithographs, circus posters that inspired Toulouse-Lautrec, postcards of La Goulue, and Moulin Rouge programs dating from his time.
Tourrette-Levens has also organized activities for children, such as performances by the clown Mr. Mouche and free magic shows, which will be offered every Sunday and on Tuesday, August 15th at 4 PM and 5 PM.
Who is Toulouse-Lautrec?
A painter, draftsman, lithographer, poster artist, and illustrator, he left a lasting impression with his creations. Especially with his works on the Moulin Rouge’s can-can, where he was a passionate spectator. On occasion, he created posters for the stars of this iconic venue. Toulouse-Lautrec had his own style and aesthetics because he wanted to “be real and not ideal.”
In his youth, he discovered painting and decided to make it his profession. Two years before his death, he was interned in a psychiatric hospital, where he created his series on the circus. But Toulouse-Lautrec produced several black and color drawings to prove his mental health. “I bought my freedom with my drawings,” he wrote, which allowed him to negotiate his release and live his last two years freely.
Suffering from severe bone degeneration, he died at 36. Despite a short life, he left behind numerous works: 737 paintings, 275 watercolors, 369 lithographs, and 5,000 drawings.
