by Patricia Frischer
Although Henri Toulouse-Lautrec was born to a rich family, a disability stopped his legs from growing but pushed him into a world of art during the Belle Époque in Paris. This exhibition is mainly his work with color lithography*, but what is impressive is his gentle and respectful view of ladies of the night. Yes, there are posters for performances, advertising commercials, but there are also a few lovely little drawings of horses and a dog, and one or two stunning oil paintings.
Toulouse-Lautrec was friends with Edgar Degas and Vincent van Gogh, and you see influences, especially in the use of large areas of flat color which now look so contemporary, but go way back to the influence of Japanese graphics.
The museum store has a large selection of Toulouse-Lautrec goodies as you would expect, but it was delightful to see two of our San Diego Art Prize artists featured as well. Books, notebooks and candles related to Marianela de la Hoz and ceramic dishes by Beliz Iristay can be found in displays toward the front of the store.
*”In
1987, the San Diego Museum of Art received the spectacular gift of over one
hundred paintings, drawings, and prints from the Baldwin Foundation, then
overseen by Maruja Baldwin Hodges. This gift drew from the collection of
Baldwin M. Baldwin, a Toulouse-Lautrec connoisseur whose holdings of the
artist’s work were among the most comprehensive in the world and which were
first shown at The San Diego Museum of Art in 1972. In celebration of this gift
and the Museum’s centennial, this exhibition shares approximately fifty works
by Toulouse-Lautrec from the permanent collection.”
 |
Belize Iristay |
 |
Marianela de la Hoz |
Cafés and Cabarets: The
Spectacular Art of Toulouse-Lautrec
On view until September 20, 2026
The
San Diego Museum of Art
1450
El Prado Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday 12:00PM - 5:00PM – Closed
Wednesday
