Toulouse-Lautrec and Steinlen: Two Sides of the La Belle Époque

Image of a drawing of three men riding horses, each in different poses and outfits, set against a simple background.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, "Napoleon," 1895, color lithograph. Courtesy of Paul and Belinda Firos

About

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901) was a French Post-Impressionist painter and printmaker known for capturing Parisian nightlife, particularly Montmartre's cabarets, performers, and marginalized figures like prostitutes, often with empathy and insight. In contrast, T. A. Steinlen (1859-1923) focused his artistic career on people’s everyday lives and vicissitudes. During his lifetime, Steinlen’s fame eclipsed that of Toulouse-Lautrec and he was considered the best poster designer of his era.

Date

January 29 – July 31, 2027

Location

Bellarmine Hall Galleries

A colorful painting featuring people dressed in elegant attire and stylish hats, enjoying a lively outdoor gathering.

T. A. Steinlen, "La Rue (The Street)," 1896, lithograph. Courtesy of Paul and Belinda Firos

A colorful poster for the ballet "Aureole," featuring dancers in elegant poses against a vibrant background.

T. A. Steinlen, "Le Rêve (The Dream)," n.d., lithograph. Courtesy of Paul and Belinda Firos

A vintage poster featuring a sleek black cat, representing the iconic "Le Chat Noir" cabaret in Paris.

T. A. Steinlen, "Tournée du Chat Noir," n.d., lithograph. Courtesy of Paul and Belinda Firos

Schedule of Events

Events listed below with a location are live, in-person programs. When possible, those events will also be streamed and the recordings posted to our YouTube channel.

Opening Night Event: Paul Firos, collector and founder of the Museum Herakleidon and PanART Connections, in conversation with Carey Weber, Executive Director, FUAM

Thursday, January 28, 2027, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Event Hall, Dolan School of Business and streaming on Arts & Minds Live

Opening Night Reception: Toulouse-Lautrec and Steinlen: Two Sides of the La Belle Époque (Bellarmine Hall Galleries and Among the Trees (Walsh Gallery)

Thursday, January 28, 2027, 6:30 p.m.

Shuttles will be available between Bellarmine Hall and the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts/Walsh Gallery

Lecture: “Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s Women”

Thursday, March 18, 5:30 p.m.

Tori Champion, PhD (Andrew W. Mellon Curatorial Fellow, RISD)

Part of the Edwin L. Weisl, Jr. Lectureships in Art History, funded by the Robert Lehman Foundation

Diffley Board Room, Bellarmine Hall and streaming on Arts & Minds Live

Lecture: “Artists & the Police in Belle Époque Paris”

Thursday, April 8, 5:30 p.m.

Jordan Hillman, PhD, associate curator, Bruce Museum

Part of the Edwin L. Weisl, Jr. Lectureships in Art History, funded by the Robert Lehman Foundation

Dogwood Room, Barone Campus Center and streaming on Arts & Minds Live

Additional Information

Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Thursday until 8 p.m.

We are closed for national and university holidays and during inclement weather.

For GPS please use the following address:

200 Barlow Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824.

Bellarmine Hall Galleries

Free parking is available in front of Bellarmine Hall; handicap parking is available next to the service and classroom entrance on the lower level of Bellarmine Hall.

Quick Center

Free parking is available at the lot in front of the Quick Center, including handicap parking. Museum visitors may park in any available spot that is not marked reserved, handicap accessible only, or for service vehicles.

The museum is open to the public and admission is free.

Private tours with a curator are available for a fee; please contact museum@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4046.

Take Metro-North, New Haven Line, to Fairfield Station.
Approximately 70 minutes from Grand Central Station.

www.mta.info/mnr

(800) 638-7646