Elie Lascaux (1888–1969) The Basilica Of Saint-denis ~1922. Naïf, Limoges, Kahnweiler, Leiris

A beautiful oil on canvas by Elie Lascaux depicting a lively view of the Basilica of Saint-Denis circa 1922–1925, signed lower right; there are old labels on the back, but they are damaged and illegible—likely a label from the Galerie Leiris.
Dimensions of the painting alone (unframed): 61x46 cm; 79.5x64.5 cm including the frame.
The painting is in good condition, has been cleaned, and is delivered in a modern frame.

This is therefore a very interesting and early work by Elie Lascaux, created between 1920 and 1925; the painter depicts a lively view of the Basilica of Saint-Denis, in which one can make out figures and vehicles of the era. Lascaux loved to paint churches surrounded by scenes of everyday life, especially Parisian landmarks early in his career.
Elie Lascaux’s early works are quite rare; this was the period when he was introduced to the art world by Max Jacob, Kahnweiler, Limbour, and others...
Élie Lascaux, born in Limoges on April 5, 1888, and died on October 28, 1969, in Paris, was a French naïve painter.

As early as 1902, Élie Lascaux worked at a phonograph shop, then at a porcelain factory (Haviland),which marked his first steps into painting. In 1904, he moved to Paris, where he hoped to pursue a career in the performing arts. Taken prisoner during World War I, he distracted himself from his captivity by making drawings

At the end of the war, he returned to Paris and settled in Montmartre. There he met Georges Limbour and Suzanne Valadon, who encouraged him to paint and introduced him to Max Jacob. Lascaux soon began spending time with André Malraux and Raymond Queneau, as well as André Beaudin and Juan Gris. In 1922, he met Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, who became his art dealer and patron. Three years later, he married Berthe Godon, a sister-in-law of Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler.
He was also a close friend of Pablo Picasso, who would support him in the 1960s for his boldness and perseverance.
Lascaux also created sculptures, trompe l’oeil paintings, and ceramics, notably in Vallauris