Aristide Bruant was a singer, comedian and caberet artist, and a star of the Montmartre quarter of Paris, where Toulouse-Lautrec began showing up to his appearances. The two became friends and Lautrec painted this poster to advertise one of his cabaret clubs. The artist created an iconic portrait of the singer that reduced his likeness to its most memorable elements: a wide-brimmed hat, black cloak, and bright-red scarf.
Lautrec's paintings of Bruant are said to have 'unconsciously' influenced Doctor Who costume designer James Acheson's bohemian look for Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor.
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