| Toulouse-Lautrec: THIS Irish singer, the lover of May Milton, came to Paris via the London music halls and performed at the café-concert des Décadents. Lautrec shows her performing a favorite song, "Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow." |
|
| Her real name was May Egan. Although some critics called her singing nonsensical, pathetic and anemic, Lautrec became fascinated with her. She is the subject of several of his lithographs and paintings, usually shown performing her act, as she is here. Dressed in baby clothes and carrying a black kitten, she sang in a simpering, lisping voice that found favor with some. In real life, she was reputedly a sadistic bully. After a brief appearance at the Petit Casino, for which she commissioned this poster, she retired from the stage due to ill health.
May Belfort
|
|
|
| INTRODUCTION | EXHIBITION | PARIS & PRINTMAKING | CREDITS | |
|
If you have any comments or suggestions, please use this
form. |
|