Description
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was inspired by café concerts, popular places of Parisian entertainment that featured singers or other performers. This drawing depicts May Belfort, one such entertainer, who the artist discovered in 1895 during a visit to the popular nightclub Les Décadents. Belfort soon became one of Lautrec's favorite models and is seen here wearing the ruffled dress and bonnet that became a signature of her performances. The singer adopted a babyish voice and stood motionless on the stage, encouraging her fans to shout lyrics along with her.
Provenance
(Bernheim-Jeune, Paris) (?-by 1909); (Etienne Bignou, Paris) (after 1909-?); (Alexander Reid & Lefevre, Ltd., London) (?-?); (Kraushaar Galleries, New York) (?-1927); Lizzie P. Bliss [1864–1931], New York, by descent to her estate (1927-1931); estate of Lizzie P. Bliss, New York (1931-after 1934); George M. Moffett, Jr., Queenstown, MD (after 1934-1948); (Maynard Walker Gallery, New York) (1948); Leonard C. Hanna Jr. [1889–1957], Cleveland, bequeathed to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1948-1958); Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1958-)
Accession Number
1958.54
Medium
oil on millboard
Dimensions
Sheet: 62.5 x 48.2 cm (24 5/8 x 19 in.); Framed: 86 x 71.5 x 8.9 cm (33 7/8 x 28 1/8 x 3 1/2 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Credit Line
Bequest of Leonard C. Hanna Jr.
