Maurice Utrillo (French, 1883-1955) Impasse trainee sous la neige à Montmartre

Description:

Maurice Utrillo (French, 1883-1955)

Impasse trainee sous la neige à Montmartre
Signed "Maurice, Utrillo, V" l.r., inscribed "-Montmartre,-" l.l.,
inscribed "...24-7-44" in red chalk with indistinct stamps and a label from Louis Vallet, Orleans, France, on the reverse.
Oil on paperboard, 21 x 26 in. (53.3 x 66.1 cm),framed.
Condition: Surface grime, subtle craquelure.

Provenance: A private Massachusetts estate.

N.B. Utrillo first began creating art at the age of nineteen, while hospitalized at Sainte Anne Asylum, a municipal hospital for mental and nervous disorders. (1) He was persuaded by his mother, artist-muse Suzanne Valadon, to take up painting and drawing as a diversion from heavy drinking. Utrillo began painting intensely, producing 150 works between the autumn of 1903 and winter of 1904. (2) Despite his personal struggles, he continued to work prolifically throughout his career, painting street scenes of Paris, particularly the bohemian Montmartre district. Utrillo's work is characterized by a noticeable degree of impasto and vibrant colors, and at its best, displays a naïve vision with exacting detail.

We wish to thank L'Association Maurice Utrillo for their kind assistance with cataloguing the lot. The work is no. 5391 with L'Association Maurice Utrillo, and a photo-certificate from Jean Fabris accompanies the lot.

(1) "Art: Utrillo v. Tate." Time Magazine, January 18, 1937. http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,770501,00.html#
(2) Colette Giraudon. "Utrillo, Maurice." In Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online, http://www.oxfordartonline.com/subscriber/article/grove/art/T087476.
Estimate $100,000-150,000

Label on the reverse reads "Miroiterie · Dorure · Encadrement/ LOUIS VALLET/ 56 Rue Royale 56/ Orleans", subtle varnish inconsistencies, may benefit from a cleaning, no further condition issues to report.

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