In the Wings at the Circus c. 1887

"In the Wings at the Circus" (c. 1887) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec depicts a scene backstage at a circus. The work captures a moment of casual interaction between performers and a horse, likely before a show. The composition is characterized by a quick, sketchy style, using shades of green and gray, which are typical of Lautrec’s signature aesthetic and his fascination with Parisian nightlife and entertainment. This drawing is a fine example of Lautrec’s unique approach to capturing fleeting moments in a way that reveals the energy and intimacy of the world he depicted.