“Monsieur Louis Pascal” is an oil-based portrait painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1891, currently housed in the Musee Toulouse-Lautrec, Albi, France. This artwork was executed on board and measures 81 by 54 centimeters. As a part of the Post-Impressionist movement, this portrait exemplifies the artist’s penchant for capturing the personas of late 19th-century Parisian life with distinctive character and form.
The artwork portrays a man of seemingly bourgeois status, evidenced by his attire which includes a tall top hat and a formal coat. The subject is captured in a side profile, rendering a dignified posture with his right hand holding a cane, which adds to his aristocratic bearing. His face is detailed with a mustache, and he sports a cigarette protruding casually from his mouth, which further characterizes him and perhaps suggests a leisurely or nonchalant attitude.
Toulouse-Lautrec’s use of color in this portrait is notable for its tonality and expressiveness, as the rich blues and browns of the subject’s attire stand out against the more muted, yet warm background. The dynamic brushstrokes and the interplay of light and shadow in the background contribute to the ambiance, imbuing the scene with depth and texture that are typical of Post-Impressionist works, where the representation of the subject delves into the psychological rather than just the physical likeness.
In essence, Toulouse-Lautrec’s “Monsieur Louis Pascal” is not only a depiction of an individual but a reflection of the era’s societal mores, captured with an intimate and perceptive artistic gaze. The painting is emblematic of the artist’s ability to convey the essence of his subjects and the spirit of his time through his distinctively bold artistic language.
