MUSEUM OF THE INNOCENTI – FLORENCE
September 27, 2025 – June 7, 2026
From February 22nd until June 7th, the exhibition on one of the most emblematic artists of the Belle Époque continues at the Museo degli Innocenti.
With over 100,000 visitors, the exhibition “Toulouse-Lautrec: A Journey through Paris of the Belle Époque” at the Museo degli Innocenti in Florence has established itself as one of the most popular cultural events of the Florentine season. Given the exceptional attendance and strong public demand, the great journey through Paris of the Belle Époque continues until June 7, 2026.
The exhibition not only traces the creative trajectory of one of the greatest artists of all time, but also transports visitors to the unique atmosphere of late-19th-century Paris, amidst artistic ferment, nightlife, modernity, and a bohemian spirit.
The narrative centers on fin-de-siècle Paris, an era of carefree living and progress, of art flooding the boulevards, of cafés frequented by painters, writers, and dancers, of the first electric lights, and the birth of mass society. It was in this cultural ferment that Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901) was born and established, a unique figure in the European art scene. A painter, illustrator, and graphic innovator, Lautrec captured the nightlife and bohemian spirit of Montmartre Paris with a profound and ironic gaze. His advertising posters, produced with an innovative lithographic technique, not only revolutionized the concept of promotional graphics but became true visual icons of the Belle Époque.
On display, over 100 iconic works by the French artist—including “Jane Avril,” “Troupe de Mademoiselle Églantine,” and “Aristide Bruant in His Cabaret”—are immersed in a period setting, enriched with original furnishings, historic objects, archival materials, and works by other great contemporary artists. A veritable journey through time, amidst the vibrant colors of posters, the bustle of café-concerts, and the rebellious and poetic atmosphere of Montmartre.
Making the experience even more engaging, the exhibition also features works by other leading figures of the Belle Époque and Art Nouveau periods. A true visual journey through elegance and innovation, featuring the seductive female figures of Alphonse Mucha, the vibrant and colorful posters of Jules Chéret—considered the pioneer of modern advertising—and the evocative atmospheres of Georges de Feure. The exhibition is rounded out by the refined works of Frédéric-Auguste Cazals, Paul Berthon, and other extraordinary artists who transformed graphic design into art. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of an era that made style and creativity its most recognizable signature.
The exhibition is complemented by a rich array of photographs, videos, and period furnishings, transporting visitors on a multisensory journey through Paris between 1880 and 1900. A time when art, technology, freedom of expression, and new forms of entertainment laid the foundations of the modern world.
With “Toulouse-Lautrec: A Journey through Paris of the Belle Époque,” Florence celebrates not only an extraordinary artist but also a unique historical moment, one that continues to influence our aesthetic imagination today.
Under the patronage of the City of Florence, the exhibition is produced and organized by Arthemisia, once again alongside the Museo degli Innocenti, in collaboration with Cristoforo, the Ernst Barlach Museumsgesellschaft Hamburg, and BridgeconsultingPro. It is curated by Dr. Jurgen Doppelstein, with Gabriele Accornero serving as project manager for the Collection.
Museo degli Innocenti in Florence. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Last admission: one hour before closing time.
