... in a city like Paris, where there was a way of living well and working, no matter how poor you were, was like having a great treasure given to you. Ernest Hemingway

{HISTORY}

This pastel-shaded streetscape of Paris, with its pale color palette and dynamic one-point perspective, was painted by celebrated French artist Maurice Utrillo (1893-1955) in 1934. Produced in his later years, it is believed that he captured this setting using only his memory or perhaps some postcards of Montmartre gathered earlier in his career. It depicts Passage Cottin, a road in Paris that leads to Sacre-Couer. Painted several times over several decades, Maurice returned to this scene each time depicting slightly different distance points on the street. What is most interesting about this particular rendering, is that it was made during his "white years" where the color white predominated (an effect that lent the viewer to believe it was a winter cityscape). This was an unusual color palette for Maurice to work in as he was normally known for his bright hues and blocky semi-abstract buildings. This one is more feminine, delicate, and detailed and features more stylized figures in the two women walking down the street.

In addition to dealing with alcoholism and mental illness for most of his life, Maurice was also very shy, preferring to paint alone in secluded spots or from postcards or earlier drawings - a method that allowed him to withdraw from the anxiety of the public eye and work without interruption. Some critics consider Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre to be a sign of Maurice's loneliness,  as he painted figures walking away from the viewer in a setting he had not returned to in-person in quite some time. Perhaps also it could represent his thoughts on aging, watching life move ahead while he painted a memory from his past. 

Considered one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, 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. 

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, the date it was originally created, and the collection in which the original is held (as of 1953).

 {SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Colors include grey, white, pink, raspberry, coral, black, mustard, red, blue and olive.

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. one side contains a ragged edge where it was salvaged from its dilapidated folio.  A very light water stain runs along the right-hand side at the very edge of the paper ( no more than 1/8 of an inch thick).  

{SIZE}

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

{FOR THE ART LOVER}

Look for more of Maurice Utrillo's work here.