Cortes, Edouard (French, 1882-1969) Oil Painting. In the Manner of Cortes, Edouard (French, 1882-1969) “Street Scene”. Bears the signature lower right Edouard Cortes. In good condition. Measures 24” x 30”. Frame measures 31” x 37”.

_Askart.com: Cortes was born in Lagny, France on April 26, 1882. During his early lifetime, Paris was the center of the art world. Artist from across the globe traveled there to study and paint it's beautiful countryside and cities; views of Paris, or as it became known 'the City of Lights', were in great demand by both collectors and tourists. douard Corts, along with other artists like Eugene Galien-Laloue (1854-1941), Luigi Loir (1845-1916) and Jean Beraud (1849-1936) answered their call. Specializing in Paris street scenes, each of these artists captured the city during its heyday and continued with these scenes well into the 20th century.douard was the son of Antonio Corts - the Spanish Court painter - who was himself the son of the artisan Andr Corts. Antonio was born in Seville in 1827 and established himself as a painter of rural genre. In 1855 he traveled to Paris for the Exposition Universelle and was drawn to the town of Lagny-sur-Marne - where he settled. He continued to paint scenes reminiscent of Troyon, Jacque and Van Marcke. Antonio had three children - douard, Henri and Jeanne - and while all had artistic talent, it was douard who had the passion. Antonio began teaching douard at an early age and enrolled him in a private elementary school where he continued his schooling until the age of 13. From this point on he devoted his life to art - working and studying with both his father and older brother. In 1899, at the age of 16, he exhibited his first work at the Socit des Artistes Franais entitled La Labour. The work was well received by the critics and the public - helping establish douard's favorable reputation in Paris. It was at the turn of the century, c.1900 that he began to paint the scenes that he would become most famous for - Paris' streets and monuments. One of the more prolific artists of his time, Corts found his niche and stayed with it. His views of Paris are among the most telling and beautiful images of this genre; capturing the city during all it's seasons for more than 60 years. douard married Fernande Joyeuse in 1914 and had a child - Jacqueline Simone in 1916. Fernande died in 1918 and shortly thereafter douard decided to marry his sister-in-law Lucienne Joyeuse. They settled in Paris and douard continued to paint views of Paris. By the mid 1920's, douard and his family moved back to Lagny (in Normandy) and he began painting scenes of country life - including landscapes, interior scenes and still lives. He was an active member of the Union des Beaux-Arts de Lagny and was the Union’s first president. Their inaugural exhibition was held in 1927 and Corts continued to exhibit there until the late 1930's. During this period he received many awards, gained great notoriety and was a frequent exhibitor at the exhibition halls in Paris, including the Salon d'Automne, Salon d'Hiver, Salon de la Socit Nationale de l'Horticulture and Salon des Indpendants. During the years of World War II, Corts and his family spent their time in Cormelles-le-Royal (in Normandy) in an attempt to remove themselves from the harsh realities of war. By the early 1950's he had relocated to Lagny, where he would remain for the rest of his life. A.P Larde makes the following observation about Corts in his book on Antoine Blanchard: [he] "was preeminently the painter of Paris of the Nineties, which he had loved and known well; his qualities as a painter, in addition to his sensitivity, allowed him to paint the street scenes of that time under their most charming, attractive and real light.Transposed by his brushes, each spot of Paris becomes a veritable sparkling jewel. The most ordinary scene, through a sensitive, generous and elaborate palette, irresistibly fascinates and moves us. Only through a detailed study of his canvases can we understand how this artist, with apparently simple means, could obtain such gripping effects. His bold touch never lingers over a superfluous detail. What best proves his talent is the accuracy of his drawing and the naturalness of the scene he paints, his extraordinary use of sun or rain, with reflections in the puddles in the streets.It was therefore natural for such a talent to be recognized in France and throughout the world as that of a first class artist with great sensitivity and high artistic qualities. It is not surprising that his works, more valuable each day, were appreciated by many collectors." Corts' beautiful depictions of Paris were always in demand and he continued to paint them until his death in 1969.

Tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica.com: Of Spanish ancestry, was born in Lagny-sur-Marne, a few miles east of Paris. As an adolescent, he became fascinated with the arts and at seventeen began his studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. The year 1901 marked the artist's first exhibition at the Salon des Artistes Francais. His piece depicting a dramatic Paris street scene at dusk brought him immediate recognition and fame.