Paul Sescau (1858 - 1926) innovative but enigmatic French photographer based in Paris who was a friend of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864 - 1901), who in this image the artist creates an advertisement for the photographer, and P.Sescau also appears in quite a number of the artist’s paintings. For Paul Sescau part he photographed Toulouse-Lautrec, his paintings, and introduces the painter to the medium of photography which was having an important influence on modern painting. In Lautrec’s poster the words read: “9.Place Pigalle / P. Sescau Photographe”. Paul Sescau photographic studio in 9 Place Pigalle was in the same building as the café La Nouvelle Athènes, frequented by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec amongst other notable artists and musicians. Regrettably most of Paul Sescau photographic work are lost to posterity leaving a mystery about his contribution to the photographic medium, though an album of 35 photographs are held at the National Library of France. Paul Sescau is reputed to also have been a gifted musician and banjo player, and shared with Toulouse-Lautrec a keen interest in the dance halls of Montmartre. The lady in the poster may be Jane Avril (1868 – 1943) a dancer. This specific colour lithograph poster (1894-6) is displayed at the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, Albi. Palais de la Berbie, Place Sainte-Cécile, Albi, France, (19/07/18)
Date: 19/07/2018
Location: Palais de la Berbie, Place Sainte-Cécile, Albi, France
Photographer: (rkw) image Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, Albi
