Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was born on 24 November 1864 in Albi, Tarn in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France. He was also known as Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa. He was a French painter, draftsman and illustrator. He was physically weak and often fell sick. He was the child of an aristocratic family.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was the firstborn child of Comte Alphonse and Comtesse Adele de Toulouse-Lautrec. A younger brother was also born to the family on 28 August 1867, but died the following year. At the age of 10 years, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec started to draw paintigns. At the age of 12 years, he fractured his left leg and at 14 his right leg. The bones failed to heal properly. This stopped his growth and his legs ceased to grow, so that as an adult he was only 1.54 meters tall. He reached young adulthood with a body trunk of normal size but with abnormally short legs. He was often mocked for his short stature and physical appearance.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec remains respected as an original artist who overcame his disabilities to become one of the best post-impressionist artists. The style and charm of his Moulin Rouge series will remain his most loved contributions to art. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's paintings are best remembered for his series related to Moulin Rouge, but other famous works included Ambassadeurs, At the Circus, Jane Avril, May Belfort and The Medical Inspection at Rue des Moulins. He was well known for his paintings of prostitutes and courtesans. He was also a harsh and witty chronicler of the gaudy nightlife and the sordid elements of late-19th-century Parisian society. Alcoholism led to the failure of his health in 1899, and for the last few years of his life he confined his efforts to paintings. After paralysis struck, he died on Sept. 9, 1901 at Malrome.All courtesy of Art of Legend India.