Panneaux pour la baraque de la Goulue, à la Foire du Trône à Paris (1895)

Discover the vibrant allure of Belle Époque Paris through Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's remarkable painting, "Panneaux pour la baraque de la Goulue, à la Foire du Trône à Paris" (Panels for La Goulue's Booth at the Trōne Fair in Paris) from 1895. This evocative work illustrates Toulouse-Lautrec's masterful ability to capture the nightlife and vivid personalities of Paris.At the center of this dynamic scene is the dancer La Goulue, famously known as the Queen of the Moulin Rouge, depicted with her iconic high-kicking gesture. She is portrayed in mid-performance, wearing a striped bodice and a flouncy green skirt, which swirls around her as she dances. The muted browns and grays that dominate the canvas highlight her figure, making her the luminous focal point of the composition.Around her, the atmosphere of a lively fair buzzes with activity. Onlookers of various expressions are captured in Toulouse-Lautrec's distinctive strokes, some blurred into the background, while others are given more detail, emphasizing the eclectic mix of the crowd. Notably, figures in top hats, possibly the upper-class spectators, are illustrated at different elevations in the painting, adding a layer of social commentary about the diverse audience that La Goulue attracted.This piece is not just an artistic depiction of a dance but a window into the societal and cultural dynamics of late 19th-century Paris.