The artwork titled “At the Nouveau Cirque the Dancer and Five Stuffed Shirts” is a creation of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec from 1891. Executed in oil on canvas, it measures 60 x 40 cm and is categorized as a genre painting emblematic of the Art Nouveau movement. This work is part of the collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, located in Philadelphia, PA, United States.
In the artwork, one observes the vivid dynamics of a lively Parisian nightspot, the Nouveau Cirque. The central figure appears to be a dancer caught mid-movement with swirling drapery accentuating her form and motion. Her back is turned towards viewers, suggesting a sense of immediacy and engagement with an unseen audience. This predominant figure is set against a colorful and somewhat abstracted background which features an array of visual elements that tilt toward the decorative tendencies of Art Nouveau.
Five figures, referenced as “stuffed shirts” in the title, are depicted with a somewhat caricatured and simplified style, reinforcing the contrast between the animated dancer and the more static audience. The interplay of organic lines, a hallmark of the Art Nouveau style, is evident throughout the composition, contributing to a sense of rhythm and decorative flair. Lautrec’s use of color is bold and non-naturalistic, providing a strong emotional resonance with the scene’s energy and atmosphere. The artwork’s synthesis of form, movement, and color exemplifies Toulouse-Lautrec’s distinctive approach to capturing and expressing the vibrancy of Parisian nightlife.
