Henri de toulouse-lautrec height

Cycle Michael was one of two designs which highlighted the booming cycling industry within France towards the end of the 19th century.

Both were rejected by the patron and so the artist eventually decided to publish them himself as limited edition prints.

The initial purpose was to advertise some cycling products but his style was not deemed suitable to the publication.

The artist was still entirely satisfied with his own work, however, and so did not take their rejection too personally.

Toulouse-lautrec wife

By this stage his reputation was also well established and there were always more companies asking for his services. He managed to strike a good balance between commercialising his talents, whilst also continuing to enjoy relative creative freedom, even if sometimes those commissioning his work might reject his creations out right.

Ultimately, a series of two hundred prints were made of Cyc