Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre
Painting on canvas • Maurice Utrillo (French, 1883-1955)
Style & Movement
School of Paris (École de Paris), Post-Impressionism with Naïve elements.
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas with descriptive brushwork and a muted palette reminiscent of his White Period.
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (likely 1930s-1950s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 60 x 50 cm, Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A street view of the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre, Paris, featuring flanking buildings and a quiet urban street landscape characteristic of the artist's obsession with the neighborhood.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible signs of aging including slight yellowing and surface grime.
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $35,000 USD (subject to authentication of the specific hand)
Auction Estimate
$10,000 - $25,000 USD
Provenance History
Private collection; secondary market. The presence of a signature and location inscription suggests a standard retail or studio origin.
Art Historical Significance
Utrillo is iconic for his depictions of Montmartre. This piece represents his typical subject matter which helped define the melancholic, deserted aesthetic of early 20th-century Paris.
Notable Features
Signed 'Maurice, Utrillo, V.' lower right and inscribed 'Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre' lower left. The 'V' in the signature stands for Valadon, his mother.
Condition Issues
Mild craquelure, yellowed varnish, and slight staining on the linen liner of the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning, varnish removal/re-application, and framing check to ensure stable tension on the stretcher bars.