How did Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec combine lettering and images in his posters?

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec integrated lettering into his posters by drawing the text using the same casual, expressive technique he applied to his pictorial elements. Rather than treating typography as a separate, formal component, he incorporated it directly into the composition to create a unified, dynamic whole.1

This approach was part of his broader effort to move away from traditional "high art" and toward a more reductive, symbolic style of imagery. Influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, he utilized flat color areas and simplified outlines to convey the essence of his subjects—such as Parisian entertainers—rather than providing a detailed, realistic depiction. By applying this same drawing style to his lettering, he ensured that the text felt like an organic extension of the artwork itself, contributing to the overall rhythm and energy of the design.213