The artwork titled “Dinner at the House of M. and Mme. Nathanson” is a creation by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec dating back to 1898. This particular work incorporates a mixture of mediums including gouache, oil, pastel, on cardboard, and is characterized by the Art Nouveau and Post-Impressionism movements. It measures 60 x 80 cm and is classified as a genre painting. The artwork is presently housed in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) located in Houston, Texas, United States.
The artwork portrays an intimate dinner scene at the home of M. and Mme. Nathanson, featuring several figures engaged in conversation and dining. The composition utilizes a limited palette predominantly composed of warm tones, alongside spontaneous and brisk brushstrokes that evoke a sense of movement and casual immediacy typical of Toulouse-Lautrec’s style. The presence of diners can be discerned by the inclusion of plates, glasses, and cutlery on the table, while the figures themselves are depicted with blurred features and gestural representations that hint at their personalities and interactions without providing explicit detail. The artwork captures the convivial atmosphere of a private social gathering, illustrating the artist’s interest in the social dynamics and private lives of the Parisian bourgeoisie.
