The artwork titled “Alfred la Guigne” was created by artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in the year 1894. A work of the Art Nouveau movement, often termed Modern, it was rendered on cardboard and measures 64.5 by 49.5 centimeters. This piece is categorized as a genre painting, which typically depicts scenes from everyday life.
The artwork showcases a vibrant scene set against a backdrop suggestive of a café or a social gathering place, typical of Toulouse-Lautrec’s fascination with Parisian nightlife. In the foreground, a man in a hat dominates the viewer’s immediate attention, presented in profile. His gaze is diverted, possibly toward the central figure of the painting—a red-clad woman with a visible countenance that bears a compelling expression. Flanked by the man and the woman is a third figure, a gentleman who also dons a hat and is caught mid-glance, perhaps engaging with others not fully depicted in the space of the canvas. The use of bold outlines and the dynamic composition captures the fluidity and spontaneity of the moment.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s mastery of capturing the lively Parisian spirit is emphasized through his deft brushwork that portrays the movement and mood of the figures. The palette is rather muted, which is indicative of the moodiness often associated with the venues of entertainment during that epoch. The dashes of brighter colour in the woman’s attire draw the eye and serve as a focal point within the subdued atmosphere suggested by the surrounding hues. The rendition, although seemingly casual, reveals the artist’s profound ability to capture the zeitgeist of the Belle Époque through portraiture and scene depiction.
