Nice, souvenir of the Promenade des Anglais - Henri de Toulouse
- Original dimensions
- 50 x 38.5 cm
- Museum
- Petit Palais
- Year
- 1880
Scene depicted
This canvas captures the melody of life in Nice, where silhouettes are outlined against the shimmering Mediterranean. Couples stroll, wide-brimmed hats waltz under the gentle breath of the sea breeze. The canvas evokes the lightness of an era where beauty and escape intertwined, highlighting the very essence of the Côte d'Azur through the eyes of a master of painting .
Historical context
Created in 1880, this painting resonates with the vibrancy of the Belle Époque, when Nice, a jewel of the Côte d'Azur, captured the hearts of artists and lovers from around the world. The canvas is currently housed at the Petit Palais , a museum that holds treasures of the Impressionist movement of which Toulouse-Lautrec is a pillar. Its dimensions, 50 x 38.5 cm, make this painting easily integrable into various spaces, while echoing a resonance of history and culture.
Place in the artist's career
Nice, souvenir of the Promenade des Anglais is a milestone in Toulouse-Lautrec's career, marking a turn towards the expression of modern life. Alongside La danse au Moulin Rouge and the show Les Invalides, this painting illustrates his ability to capture the energy of crowds and the intimacy of simple moments, while pursuing his unique aesthetic quest.
Anecdote
“The beauty of the world lies in its ephemeral nature,” said Toulouse-Lautrec while contemplating the azure sea. It was on the edge of the Promenade des Anglais, on a sunny morning, that this innovative spirit was inspired, taking the time to observe the passersby. The evocative power of the painting immediately translated the vibrant atmosphere of the promenade, where the whisper of the waves and the scent of flowers mingled with the laughter of bathers.