An outstanding example of Toulouse-Lautrec’s portraiture is the portrait of Yvette Gilbert. Toulouse-Lautrec painted Yvette Gilbert (1867-1944), a popular singer who performed in Paris around the turn of the 20th century, many times. 

The woman with the profile of a “hoodlum swan”, who sang “wedding songs with funeral tones”, became the ideal type for the artist. Her bright artistic individuality gave Toulouse-Lautrec the opportunity to address the eternal theme of acting. Depicting the singing actress as she performs a song, the artist creates both a portrait of Yvette Gilbert and an image of the role she was playing. Expressive lines, colorful styling strokes, and the curious arabesque of hands in black gloves create a grotesque image of the singer.