Messaline (between two extras) 1901

"Messaline (between two extras)" is an oil painting on canvas by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created in 1901, just a year before his untimely death. This painting, housed at the E.G. Bührle Foundation in Zürich, Switzerland, captures the Parisian nightlife, a subject Lautrec was known for. The composition centers around a woman in black, potentially Messaline, a prominent courtesan, and a man, partially visible, behind her, possibly an actor or playwright. The painting exemplifies Lautrec's signature style, utilizing bold colors, loose brushstrokes, and distorted figures to create a sense of movement and energy. It is a testament to his ability to capture the atmosphere and characters of the Parisian entertainment scene, a key theme in his artistic oeuvre.