Sunday, August 11, 2013

The Mag #181 "At the Moulin Rouge"

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec "Chilperic" 1895

At the Moulin Rouge

Pointed shoes, swirling skirt
rouged cheeks, painted smile,
bouncing cleavage,  veiled eyes,
frivolous laugh, rhythmic sway,
slow death...
endless bohemian nights.

by Margaret Bednar, August 11, 2013


This is linked and written for The Mag #181.

When I wrote the above poem, I assumed this was a dancer at the Moulin Rouge before I listened to the video below.  If you care to learn about this Post-Impressionism oil painting, please listen to the video below.  It's meant for kids, but I enjoyed it.




Recently I visited the Art Institute of Chicago and really enjoyed this piece of Toulouse-Lautrec's up close.  An oil painting on vellum (a tambourine):

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, "At the Circus: The Bareback Rider" 1888


18 comments:

Doctor FTSE said...

Thank you Margaret. The video added a great deal to your descriptive poem and to the Lautrec picture.

Berowne said...

Slickly inventive; quite enjoyable.

Susan said...

Lots of info, thank you. The poem alone is amazing for its speed and liveliness leading to the startling s l o w death -- at the very least a break in infinity.

Helen said...

I remember those endless Bohemian nights ... thanks so much for including art from the Chicago Art Institute. I grew up in Illinois and spent many a visit to the Windy City walking thru that building.

Maude Lynn said...

Marvelous write, Margaret!

Anonymous said...

I can hear it all! Wine makes the shoe tip and the ruffles drunk! Excellent !

les peintures de Viviane said...

Margaret thank you for this post and this beautiful poem. I love Henri de Toulouse Lautrec specialist movement and color. The short video added a note to folklore!

Mr. Charleston said...

I've always liked Lautrec but I can't say the same for the Moulin Rouge, at least, not when I was there. Kind of like Dollywood. I guess it's those Bohemian nights getting to me.

Silent Otto said...

A Moravian Bohemian ?
Gday Margaret

Ginnie Hart said...

Sister Ruth was just recently at the Art Institute of Chicago, Margaret, and really enjoyed it. Our sister Susan lives in Chicago so I'll have to put that on my Bucket List!

Tess Kincaid said...

Very nice...enjoyed your extras too...

Vanessa Victoria Kilmer said...

At first the "slow death" threw me off but after thinking about it, I find it very apt.

Trellissimo said...

What a way to die!

Unknown said...

I may have to go see that movie...

The Fifth Horseman said...

I like the imagery in your poem. However - a question. I haven't had much experience, but I thought it was the bits that flank the cleavage that do the bouncing?

Margaret said...

5th Horseman... well, technically you may be right. But doesn't it ALL bounce? :)

Chris Lawrence said...

bohemian and feeling

Helena said...

I'd love top die that way, too....but I don't have the energy!!