The Clown Cha-U-Kao 1895

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this painting with thin oil paint applied to cardboard, a cheap material often used for posters and advertisements. Lautrec was fascinated by popular culture, and Cha-U-Kao, a performer at the Moulin Rouge, was one of his favorite subjects. Look closely, and you'll see that Lautrec has used very loose, free brushwork to capture her likeness. The thin paint allows the cardboard support to show through in places, creating a sense of immediacy. The texture and material of the cardboard contributes to the overall effect, making the painting feel less precious and more like a snapshot of everyday life. Lautrec blurred the boundaries between high art and commercial art, elevating popular culture to the level of fine art. In doing so, he acknowledged the skill of those who worked in popular entertainment, reflecting social issues and challenging traditional artistic hierarchies.