The History of Moulin Rouge: La Goulue
The Moulin Rouge opened in the Montmartre district of Paris in 1889. In 1891 it commissioned Toulouse-Lautrec to create a poster, his first.
Printed as a large color lithograph, the poster was pasted around Paris and made the young artist famous almost overnight.
The poster shows the dancer Louise Weber, known as La Goulue ("the glutton"), with her dance partner Valentin le Désossé ("the boneless") in the foreground.
What Does Moulin Rouge: La Goulue Mean?
The design captures the energy and spectacle of Belle Époque nightlife in Paris, with the cabaret crowd reduced to flat black silhouettes.
Its flat areas of color and strong outlines show the influence of Japanese woodblock prints and helped shape modern graphic design.
About Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901) was a French painter and printmaker who chronicled the cabarets, dance halls and theaters of Montmartre. He produced around 30 posters and died at just 36.
Fun Facts
- The poster is roughly 1.9 meters tall and was printed in several large sheets.
- The word "Moulin Rouge" is repeated across the top of the poster.
- Toulouse-Lautrec was a regular at the Moulin Rouge and often sketched there.
How to Wear Your Moulin Rouge: La Goulue Tee
The vintage poster look works perfectly on a natural or cream tee. Layer it under an unbuttoned shirt or a leather jacket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moulin Rouge: La Goulue really in the public domain?
Yes. The artist died more than 70 years ago, so the original artwork is no longer protected by copyright in the United States or most other countries. That is why we can print it on our tees.
What shirt is the art printed on?
Every design is printed on demand on a soft, 100% combed ring-spun cotton unisex tee using direct-to-garment printing, so the ink becomes part of the fabric instead of sitting on top like a heavy decal.
How long does shipping take?
Each shirt is printed after you order. Printing usually takes 2–5 business days, and US shipping typically takes another 3–5 business days.
