1883 - 1955
Browse works by Maurice Utrillo
Biography
The son of Suzanne Valadon and of an unknown father, Maurice Utrillo was born in Montmartre on December 26th 1883. Working as a model for the artists Puvis de Chavannes, Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec, Suzanne Valadon rapidly neglected her son and devoted herself to painting instead.The young Maurice was left in the care of his grand-mother but coping with his loneliness and the absence of his mother he soon became addicted to drink. Already, at the age of 21 he suffered the first symptoms of a deep mental disorder. From then on, fits of explosive anger, scandals and internments in lunatic asylums became his common lot during many years.
Luckily, such mental illness resulted in an urge to paint. Following the advice of a doctor, who was also a close friend, Suzanne Valadon encouraged her son to start up a career thinking that painting could prove to be a useful therapy for him. Nevertheless, she soon understood that he was endowed with a real talent.
As early as 1926, Maurice Utrillo became famous and his works were much in demand by collectors. He married Lucie Pauwels in 1935 and settled in the Paris suburb of Le V?sinet where he led a peaceful life working daily until his death on November 5th 1955.
Utrillo never adhered to the major artistic currents , the "Fauvist", "Cubist" or "Post-Impressionist" movements, which emerged during this century. Everything he wanted to signify was told in the scenes he painted according to his own way.
Utrillo's landscape his not that of nature. Contrary to the Impressionist painters he left little place to water, grounds or to nature. Painting a sky was not his major preoccupation. His landscapes are simply invaded by buildings erected by human hands. They are made of villages, suburbs and towns.
Featured Work
(enlarge view 44k) |
Title: La Place du Tertre et le Sacre-Coeur a Montmartre Artist: Maurice Utrillo Medium: Oil Size: 20" x 24" (h x w) Description: Status: Sold |
){kind=link}