Toulouse – Lautrec was the descended of an old French noble family and studied under Cormon from 1882 – 1886. There he met Bernard and van Gough amongst others, and began to paint in light colours in an Impressionistic manner. He spent much of his time exploring the haunts of Paris night-life with its twilight pleasures and it was here that he sough the inspiration and motifs for his work. He did not see this demi – monde (a class of women of a doubtful reputation) through the eyes of his own social class, but through the eyes of a man for whom all barriers of class difference had long since fallen. With subtle empathy, he translates his observations into realistic images charged with atmosphere and creates character studies that give a lively insight into their respective situations. Colour in all its nuances and graduations is the main vehicle of expression for Tousoluse – Lautrec.