The artwork titled “La Goulue et Valentin,” created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1894, France, is a print medium piece representative of the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement. With dimensions of 37 cm by 28 cm, it falls into the genres of sketch and study, as well as genre painting, capturing an aspect of social life from the artist’s contemporary environment.
The artwork depicts two figures in a dynamic pose, engaging in what appears to be a dance. The woman, known as La Goulue, is shown with a playfully flamboyant gesture, her dress adorned with polka dots and a ruffled hem that adds a sense of movement to the portrayal. She looks over her shoulder, her hair swept back, accentuating the vivacity of the moment. Beside her is Valentin, dressed in a suit and wearing a top hat, his form leaning toward her as he participates in the dance. His expression suggests concentration and enjoyment, linked to the rhythm they share. The print’s composition allows for an interplay of light and shadow, creating a balance between the subject’s forms and the surrounding space, which converges to depict this lively scene with a deliberate sense of immediacy typical of Toulouse-Lautrec’s work. The economy of line and selective detail focuses the viewer’s attention on the essence of the moment, a characteristic approach by the artist to capture the vibrant nightlife of Paris in his era.
