A la Bastille 1888

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created this painting, "A la Bastille," in France, a portrait of a woman in an outdoor cafe setting. Lautrec's choice of subject and setting offers a glimpse into the social fabric of late 19th-century Paris. Cafes like this one were important public spaces, especially for the bohemian and working classes, offering a space for socialising and relaxation. The title of the work places it within a working-class district. The woman's attire suggests a certain social status, and the wine glass implies a moment of leisure or contemplation. In choosing to portray this scene, Lautrec engaged with the social structures of his time, documenting everyday life but also exploring the complex class dynamics of the era. To fully understand the context of this work, we can turn to various historical sources, including literature, social commentary, and institutional records of the art world. These resources will help us to appreciate art as something contingent on social and institutional context.