This study inquired into the therapeutic meanings of the complementary colors Henri de
Toulouse-Lautrec used to overcome his physical handicap and inner conflicts.
In this study, 15 paintings of females by Toulouse-Lautrec which showed a strong contrast of
complementary colors indicating strong ambivalent feelings were chosen for the analysis. The rates of
complementary colors in the paintings were analyzed based on the main colors of the eight color cycle
of the Ostwald color system, which made it possible to check the shades of the strong green colors used in
his paintings.
The main complementary colors found in many of Toulouse-Lautrec's paintings included a contrast
between white and black, between sea green and fulvous color, and between ultramarine and yellow. These
contrasts of complementary colors reflect his attempt to balance the ambivalent feelings.
Toulouse-Loutrec projected his degenerative sentiments characteristic of an adult child into his paintings.
The white color in the Ostwald color system, the main color axis started showing black shades at the lower
parts of the paintings, whereby the green and brown color appeared. This abrupt contrast of complementary
colors worked as a therapeutic catalyst that helped Toulouse-Lautrec to resolve his inner psychological
conflicts.