The Seated Clowness (Mademoiselle Cha-u-ka-o) (from the series Elles)
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec French
Publisher Gustave Pellet French
The success of Toulouse-Lautrec's posters advertising Parisian cabarets such as the Moulin Rouge led him to produce deluxe editions of prints of Montmartre's performers, such as this one of the clown and dancer Cha-u-Kao. These lithographs were intended to appeal to fans and print collectors alike. Unlike Lautrec's other images that feature Cha-u-Kao performing, this one captures her off stage in a moment of quiet repose. Her frank pose and almost weary expression suggest we are glimpsing the person behind the persona.
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.