1896, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, The Seated Clowness (Mademoiselle Cha-u-kao) -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
From the museum label: Lautrec gained success through his posters advertising Parisian cabarets such as the Moulin Rouge. He also produced deluxe editions of prints featuring performers in Montmartre-an artistic neighborhood in Paris-that he designed to appeal to fans and print collectors alike. This lithograph shows the clown and dancer Cha-u-Kao. Unlike Lautrec's other images that feature Cha-u-Kao performing, this one captures her offstage in a moment of quiet rest. Her frank posture and almost weary expression suggest that we are glimpsing the person behind the persona.
1896, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, The Seated Clowness (Mademoiselle Cha-u-kao) -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
From the museum label: Lautrec gained success through his posters advertising Parisian cabarets such as the Moulin Rouge. He also produced deluxe editions of prints featuring performers in Montmartre-an artistic neighborhood in Paris-that he designed to appeal to fans and print collectors alike. This lithograph shows the clown and dancer Cha-u-Kao. Unlike Lautrec's other images that feature Cha-u-Kao performing, this one captures her offstage in a moment of quiet rest. Her frank posture and almost weary expression suggest that we are glimpsing the person behind the persona.