élisée Maclet (1881–1962) – Old Montmartre, Montmartre – Oil On Canvas

Élisée Maclet (1881–1962) – Old Montmartre – Oil on canvas

Élisée Maclet is one of the greatest artists to have captured the essence of old Montmartre. Having settled on the Butte in 1906, he captured all its poetry for over half a century, long before the neighborhood lost its village-like character.

This oil on canvas depicts a street bathed in light, where houses with red roofs, light-colored facades, and blossoming trees create a scene of great freshness. A solitary passerby discreetly brings the scene to life, inviting the viewer’s gaze to wander down this quintessentially Montmartre street.

Although close to Maurice Utrillo, Max Jacob, Francis Carco, and the artists of the Lapin Agile, Maclet nevertheless developed a deeply personal style. His free brushwork, the richness of his texture, and the brilliance of his palette give his landscapes an immediately recognizable atmosphere.

Around 1909, he adopted the knife-painting technique, which he mastered with remarkable virtuosity. After World War I, his work reached full maturity: the colors gained intensity, the compositions became more balanced, and light became the true subject of his paintings.

This painting perfectly illustrates this period of artistic fulfillment. The delicate impasto, the luminous harmonies, and the apparent simplicity of the composition convey the full sensitivity of an artist deeply attached to Montmartre.

Today, Élisée Maclet is recognized as one of the major figures of the School of Paris. His works are featured in numerous public and private collections and are particularly sought after by connoisseurs of 20th-century Parisian painting.