Cecy Loftus 1893 - 1894

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created this lithograph of Cecy Loftus. It captures the spirit of the Belle Époque, a period of optimism and cultural innovation in France, but it also hints at the gender and class dynamics of the entertainment world. Loftus, an actress known for her impersonations, stands on stage, caught between her public persona and private self. The top hat, an unusual fashion choice for women at the time, suggests a performance of masculinity, blurring traditional gender lines. Toulouse-Lautrec, who felt like an outsider himself due to his physical disabilities, was drawn to performers who defied social norms. The ephemeral quality of the lithograph mirrors the fleeting nature of performance and fame. What does it mean to perform an identity? And who gets to decide which roles we play? This print invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity, performance, and the artist's own place within this glittering, yet often precarious world.