The gaiety of Belle Epoque Paris offers a bright respite from dreary winter in a new show that opens today at the Baltimore Museum of Art: “Toulouse-Lautrec: Master of the Moulin Rouge.”
With more than 100 works, the exhibition contains nearly all the dance hall and cabaret posters by the severely handicapped but brilliant artist, and includes others by such equally gifted contemporaries as Pierre Bonnard and Edouard Vuillard.
Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) spent a considerable part of his short life in the risque and bohemian night spots of Paris, capturing the exuberance of the performers and patrons and perfecting a colorful, linear style that remains unmistakable to this day.
Among the highlights of the show are his poster for the Moulin Rouge’s La Goulue, his poster portraits of cancan dancer Jane Avril and singer Aristide Bruant, and his very risque advertisement for the “Reine de Joie.”
The museum is located at North Charles and 31st Streets. Telephone is 410-396-7100, and Web site is www.artbma.org.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, 800-551-SEAT.
