Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s drawings of 1880s Parisian nightlife led to his innovative posters of cabaret singers, entertainers, and now famous advertisements for the Moulin Rouge. Their popularity furthered his success as an artist. Born to an aristocratic family, he suffered childhood accidents that broke both his thigh bones. Neither grew back correctly. As an adult, his legs remained short while his torso was normal. Long periods of recuperation spent drawing led him to become an artist after his move to Paris and completion of his studies.

Once he discovered the Montmartre cabarets, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec produced drawings that captured the characters who frequented them. He was fascinated by the local prostitutes, spending weeks in brothels, candidly documenting their lives. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s paintings and artwork influenced the art world for decades after his death at 36 from alcoholism and syphilis. Buy other vintage collectibles from the portrait prints for sale at Invaluable.