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Learn MoreLa Madeleine by Edouard Léon Cortès
- This vibrant Paris scene was painted by the celebrated French artist Edouard Léon Cortès
- The oil on canvas captures the busy thoroughfare of Boulevard de la Madeleine
- Cortès is renowned for his breathtaking renderings of the City of Lights
- Get complete item description here
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1882-1969 | French
La Madeleine
Signed “Edouard Cortès” (lower left)
Oil on canvas
Luminous and rich with detail, this oil on canvas was painted by the great French artist Edouard Léon Cortès. The exceptionally large composition captures a bustling Parisian street scene on the Boulevard de la Madeleine, filled with pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages illuminated by the soft yellow light of the gas street lanterns. Enchanting and nostalgic, this. . .
1882-1969 | French
La Madeleine
Signed “Edouard Cortès” (lower left)
Oil on canvas
Luminous and rich with detail, this oil on canvas was painted by the great French artist Edouard Léon Cortès. The exceptionally large composition captures a bustling Parisian street scene on the Boulevard de la Madeleine, filled with pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages illuminated by the soft yellow light of the gas street lanterns. Enchanting and nostalgic, this work perfectly represents Cortès’ mastery of perspective, color and atmosphere as well as his reputation as the "Parisian Poet of Painting."
Born in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, in 1882, Edouard Léon Cortès was immersed in the artistic tradition from an early age. His father, Antonio Cortès, and his older brother, André, were both accomplished painters, providing him with a strong foundation in the craft. Additionally, he was influenced by renowned Impressionist artists such as Maximilien Luce, Camille Pissarro and Lucien Pissarro, who were close family friends drawn to Lagny-sur-Marne for its picturesque landscapes. At seventeen, Cortès furthered his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His reputation quickly grew after he exhibited a striking Parisian street scene at dusk at the Société des Artistes Française, earning him widespread recognition.
From that point forward, Cortès devoted his career to capturing the essence of Paris in his paintings. Each composition offers a distinct narrative and perspective, reflecting seasonal changes and urban development while preserving a sense of nostalgia. His evocative portrayals of Paris were highly sought after during his lifetime and continue to be prized by collectors and art enthusiasts today.
Canvas: 18 1/4” high x 22” wide (46.36 x 55.88 cm)
Frame: 25 3/4" high x 29 7/8" wide x 1 3/4" depth (65.41 x 75.88 x 4.45 cm)
Provenance:
Acquired from the Artist, July 1966
Findlay Galleries, Chicago, 1966
Private collection of Earl G. Graham, Chicago, 1966
Sale, Chicago, December 11, 1994, Lot 1227
Private collection
M.S. Rau, New Orleans

| Maker: | Cortes, Edouard Leon |
| Period: | 1919-Present |
| Origin: | France |
| Type: | Paintings |
| Style: | Post-Impressionism |
| Depth: | 2.0 in. (5.08 cm) |
| Width: | 29.88 in. (75.88 cm) |
| Height: | 25.75 in. (65.41 cm) |
| Canvas Width: | 21.500 in. (54.61 cm) |
| Canvas Height: | 17.500 in. (44.45 cm) |
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