AllMovie

This film is part of a series that chronicles the history of Western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The lives and works of some of the great artists of the times are featured. One of the most interesting of those figures was Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. This French artist was from a wealthy family, but eventually centered his work on the underclass of society. Toulouse-Lautrec himself was deformed by an early accident that stunted his growth. Perhaps that is what drew him to the Montmartre section of Paris, where he painted its prostitutes, cabaret actors, barmaids, clowns, and customers. Art historians discuss his continuing influence while the viewer is treated to close observation of some of his greatest works.