Here is the painting of flowers which we are happy to give you in homage to your magnificent talent and you great patriotism for the grand French cause... May these Flowers of France perfume your drawing room and remind you of us. (From a letter  written by Maurice Utrillo to French-American singer Lily Pons)

{HISTORY}

Originally painted in 1946 by celebrated Parisian artist, Maurice Utrillo, this floral still life is considered one of the artist's best flower-centric works. Primarily working with architectural subjects and themes, Maurice occasionally veered from his cityscapes anf headed to the garden. This sideline passion for botanical themes was inspired by his mother, Suzanne Valadon, who was also a painter,  and who had instilled a love of flowers in him from a young age. 

With this particular painting depicting a mixed bouquet of calla lilies and carnations, Urtillo, was lauded for his ability to remove the romantic gauze that typically surrounds most floral still lifes. Instead, he highlighted the interesting shapes and structure that make up each part of the painting as a whole - from the table to the vase to the leaves and the blossoms themselves. Depending on your own mood - some viewers see this painting as a jubilant burst of color with the bouquet fanning out of the base with energy and life. Others see it as a more gloomy combination of shapes weighted down by the angular table - a style suggesting that the whole composition teeters on the edge of abstraction. Those two varying viewpoints are what make Maurice Utrillo's work so beloved. 

Afflicted by alcoholism and mental illness throughout most of his life, Maurice's work evokes sensitivity in a matter-of-fact way. His style wonderfully captures the internal struggles all humans face of trying to balance lightness with darkness, childhood whimsy with adult practicality, happiness with melancholy, simplicity with intricacy. That combination of opposites, which appears in almost every single one of his paintings is what has elevated his work to genius status and made him one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. 

In 1953, New York art book publisher Harry N. Abrams produced large-size folios of Utrillo's work for their Art Treasures of the World Series. We rescued 16 of the prints that appeared in this collection from a folio that was falling apart and on the verge of collapse. Luckily all the prints survived unscathed and can continue to be enjoyed for years to come. Printed on heavier card stock each painting print can be lifted on edge to reveal underneath the painting's name, date it was originally created, and the collection in which the original is held (as of 1953).

 {SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Colors include coral, evergreen, white, terracotta, straw, lavender, grey, white, mustard, black, sage and purple

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. There is a very light watermark that runs along the righ-hand from top to bottom that is 1/4"inch wide. This is very faint, barely noticeable, and easily covered should you choose to frame this print. 

{SIZE}

Measures 11" inches (width) x 14.5" inches (length)

 {STYLE IDEA}

A fun way to display vintage art is collage style. Pair this floral still with this other midcentury floral still life for a colorful mix of similar styles depicting garden glory!