Les vieux papillons 1895

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this drawing with graphite, showing an older man talking into the ear of a younger woman, with a butterfly hovering above their heads. Made in France in the 1890s, the drawing's title translates as "old butterflies," a euphemism for older men who pursue younger women. The scene presents a window into the social life of the Parisian demimonde, which Toulouse-Lautrec frequented, known for its cabarets and brothels. The artist created a new kind of modern art that challenged the conservative norms of Parisian society. His distinctive style captures the energy and the decadence of the time, while also critiquing social inequality. To better understand Toulouse-Lautrec's world, we can turn to resources like period newspapers and police records to uncover the social conditions that shaped the art and lives of those involved. The interpretation of art involves situating it within its specific social and institutional context.