116) Jane Avril

Jane Avril (1868 – 1943). French can-can dancer made famous by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec through his paintings. Extremely thin, 'given to jerky movements and sudden contortions', she was nicknamed La Mélinite, after an explosive.

- "She became a star overnight when Lautrec's first poster of the elegant dancer with pale complexion and red hair first appeared." https://books.google.it

- "Shown from the rear, Jane Avril is instantly recognisable by her red hair." https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-features/8563573/Jane-Avril-Toulouse-Lautrecs-muse.html

 - "His prints emphasise her reserved beauty, focusing on her elegant silhouette, serious expression, and flaming red hair." https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/…/prin…/person/38953/avril-jane

 - "A beautiful girl, though extremely thin, with pale skin and tresses of red gold hair, Jane Avril soon became infamous for performing the cancan at the Jardin de Paris, a fashionable dance hall in the Champs-Elysees." https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/2562221-toulouse-lautrec-and-jane-avril