National Gallery plans French art festival

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The National Gallery of Art in Washington is planning exhibits focusing on French art in 2005 and 2006, the first centered on Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

The museum said Thursday the exhibit titled "Toulouse-Lautrec and Montmartre," will open next March 20 and run through June 12.

It will include more than 250 works by Toulouse, whose paintings and pastels celebrate the glamorous but decadent demi-monde life of cafes, circuses, and brothels, and by other Impressionist and modern masters including Edgar Degas, Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Manet, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso.

It is the second large celebration of French art currently in the news. China is currently conducting a festival of French art, music, and theater in a number of major cities.

The National Gallery is planning several other shows that focus on various aspects and eras of French art.