Jane Avril and I

Calling on all those who are proud admirers of Jane Avril. Yes, that would be you reader! :-)

I'm wanting to know how you came to discover Jane Avril?

For me it was through the work of Toulouse-Lautrec. This might seem obvious enough but in truth there was something about her that caught my attention immediately enough to want to dig a little deeper. But what? - It wasn't Louise Weber (La Goulue), Yvette Guilbert, May Milton or indeed others. No, it was this distant, slender and mysterious creature, seemingly drowning in a deep ocean of melancholy, the girl who never smiled who caught my attention.

It's not even the fact that she looked me directly in the eyes and begged for attention in the manner of Mona Lisa. She was often portrayed by Lautrec looking away her thoughts occupying her mind and nothing more.

Perhaps therein lies the answer. What could be occupying her mind? Why the sadness? What life had she lived that could explain the manner in which Lautrec portrayed her?

So my journey began as I researched all I could on this wonderful lady. I was not to be disappointed.

So over to you dear reader - I'll look forward to hearing from you.

Craig