The graphic sign of the revolution: when illustration became a manifesto

In the beating heart of late-nineteenth-century Paris, amid the clang of electric trams and the bustle of café-concerts, a new form of visual communication emerged: the illustrated poster. Beyond its mere advertising dimension, the poster became an artistic language capable of capturing the spirit of the times and engaging with the masses. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's work, in this process, established itself as revolutionary: with his incisive line and ability to synthesize movement, atmosphere, and identity, the French artist's works redefine the boundary between art and urban communication.

His graphic works, destined to adorn the walls of Montmartre and enliven the nights at the Moulin Rouge, became a symbol of the Belle Époque. An aesthetic of vibrant colors, bold typography, and stylized figures found its preferred medium in the poster. And it is precisely to this visual revolution that an exhibition is dedicated, which, through Toulouse-Lautrec's works, invites us to rediscover the poster as an artistic expression and a mirror of modernity.

The Belle Époque on display in Florence

Hosted at the Museo degli Innocenti in Florence from September 27, 2025, to February 22, 2026, the exhibition "Toulouse-Lautrec. A Journey through Belle Époque Paris" was conceived to offer the public the opportunity to immerse themselves in the French artist's visual universe and the culture of his era. The exhibition features over 170 works, including posters, lithographs, drawings, and illustrations, from prestigious international collections, including those in Hamburg and Albi, the artist's hometown.

The exhibition itinerary will reveal how lithography, the technique used to print advertising posters between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, worked. Visitors will also be able to create their own poster, in the style of Toulouse-Lautrec, and take it home as a memento.

With Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and the Belle Époque, Florence celebrates not only an extraordinary artist, but also a unique historical moment, one that continues to influence our 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 Dopplestein with Gabriele Accornero, project manager of the Collection. The exhibition's special partners are Ricola, its partners are Mercato Centrale Firenze, Unicoop Firenze, and La Rinascente, its mobility partner is Frecciarossa Treno Ufficiale, its media partner is CityNews, and its educational partner is LABA. The catalog is published by Moebius.

Frecciarossa is the official train of the exhibition

During the exhibition, those who choose to travel on Trenitalia's Frecce trains will receive a 25% discount on their admission ticket . The discount is reserved for those who hold a Frecce ticket to Florence. To be eligible for the discount, tickets can be purchased exclusively at the exhibition ticket office on the day of the visit by showing your travel document. The ticket must be dated up to two days prior to the exhibition entrance date. This initiative underscores Trenitalia's active role in promoting cultural participation, offering a special discount to those who choose the train as a sustainable means of transportation.

Visiting information

The exhibition "Toulouse-Lautrec. A Journey through Paris of the Belle Époque" is open until February 22, 2026. The Museo degli Innocenti, which hosts it, is open to the public daily from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm. Tickets start at €6.00 ​​and can be purchased directly at the ticket office. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, please visit the official website at this link . To stay up-to-date on exhibitions and events, you can also follow the Museo degli Innocenti Facebook page.