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The Moulin Rouge dance hall was opened on 5 October 1889, and was the meeting place of Paris society, artists and demi-monde. The red windmill at the entrance was a mock-up; its back consisted of various booths and a wooden elephant that could be turned into a stage. The venue was lit up as bright as day and decorated with mirrors, galleries and gaslights. In the middle was a large dance floor surrounded by a promenade, tables, and a garden.
Between 1890 and 1896 the Moulin Rouge inspired Lautrec to no less than thirty paintings, which give us a better picture of the famous dance hall, its atmosphere and its clientele, than any photo-reportage could have achieved.
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