Maurice Utrillo Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Biography

Born in 1883 in Paris, Utrillo was the son of the artist Suzanne Valadon, who was a model for painters such as Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec before becoming a noted painter herself under the mentorship of Edgar Degas. Utrillo's early life was marked by a turbulent upbringing, and he struggled with emotional and substance abuse issues from a young age. It was under his mother's guidance that he began to paint in his late teens, ostensibly as a means of therapy. Despite having no formal artistic education, Utrillo's natural ability quickly became apparent.

Utrillo's development was characterised by his ability to imbue the streets of Montmartre with a melancholic, yet sublime quality. He would often depict the mundane aspects of the neighbourhood – the winding streets, aged houses, and local churches – with a sense of reverence and tranquillity. His preferred palette of muted whites and greys, occasionally punctuated by brighter hues, lent his work a distinctive appearance, often referred to as the “White Period.”

While Utrillo never travelled extensively, his paintings have traversed the globe, bringing the spirit of Montmartre to an international audience. His works were widely acclaimed, and he was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honour by the French government in 1928. Throughout his career, Utrillo enjoyed significant commercial success and was collected by patrons and museums alike.

Significant artworks like La Place Du Tertre showcase Utrillo's mastery in using colour and perspective to evoke mood and atmosphere. This painting, like many others, highlights his approach, characterised by thick impasto and a rich palette, which lends his urban scenes a tactile, inviting quality.

Born in the creative hub of Montmartre, Paris in 1883, Utrillo’s paternity remains uncertain; however, speculation suggests that Pierre-Auguste Renoir or the equally renowned Miguel Utrillo may have been his father. Despite a tumultuous childhood, Utrillo found solace in painting, and by his early twenties, his work began to gain recognition. His mother, an accomplished painter herself, nurtured his talent, setting the stage for his future success as a key figure in the School of Paris.
During what is known as his “White Period” (1909-1914), Utrillo developed a signature style that solidified his place in art history. This phase is marked by the use of a palette knife and a predominance of white, which he mixed with other colours to produce a muted, plaster-like effect in his depictions of Montmartre's streets and buildings. His ability to convey the serene and almost melancholic undertones of the city in works like La Maison De Berlioz is what helped earn him critical acclaim.