Toulouse-Lautrec set up his first studio in Montmartre, where he studied and painted the prostitutes. He stayed with his friends, Albert and Lily Grenier. Toulouse-Lautrec and Mr. Grenier loved to dress up, especially in women’s clothes. The artist often posed as a gypsy dancer. According to Sweetman, “There was at least a hint of transvetism in all this.” (Sweetman 118) Toulouse-Lautrec was fond of cross-dressing, and one may wonder if he had any desire to be a woman at all or if he was just doing this to attract attention and many laughs. The latter is assumed. Studies were also done to see if he was possibly homosexual, but there is no evidence for this statement. Toulouse-Lautrec was simply known for his eccentric behavior and enjoyed being the clown of the party. His fascination with the opposite sex and his attempt in understanding them could be the best rational theory for why he participated in such flamboyant affairs. A famous photograph of the unconventional Toulouse-Lautrec is shown on the left in which he is dressed in Jane Avril’s clothes. Jane Avril, in fact, was a lesbian herself, and this topic can be found on the Friendship page.
Image: Photograph of Toulouse-Lautrec. From Sweetman, David. Toulouse-Lautrec and the Fin de Siécle. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1999.