The Grand Tier 1897

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made this painting, "The Grand Tier," using oil on cardboard. Toulouse-Lautrec often worked with less conventional supports like cardboard, in part because it was more economical than canvas. Here, the thinness of the material support is important because it allows the artist to apply the paint in a very loose, almost transparent way. You can see the brown of the cardboard peeking through the layers of color. This gives the painting a sense of immediacy and a raw, sketch-like quality. This approach was intentional. Toulouse-Lautrec was interested in capturing the fleeting moments of modern life, and the speed and spontaneity of his technique reflected this. The painting feels less like a carefully constructed composition and more like a snapshot of a moment in time. Considering the materials and making of this painting reminds us that art is not just about the subject matter, but also about the process and the choices made by the artist. This challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, highlighting the skill and intention that goes into every artistic decision.