A Street Scene, Paris ~ Edouard-Lean Cortés

Cortès was born in Lagny, France on April 26, 1882. During his early lifetime, Paris was the centre of the art world artists from across the globe travelled 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. Edouard Cortès, along with other artists like: Eugene Galien-Laloue (1854-1941), Luigi Loir (1845-1916) and Jean Beraud (1849-1936) answered their call. Each of these artists captured the city during its heyday and continued with these scenes well into the 20th century. Edouard was the son of Antonio Cortès – the Spanish Court painter – who was himself the son of the artisan André Cortès. Antonio was born in Seville in 1827 and established himself as a painter of rural genre. In 1855 he travelled to Paris for the Exposition Universelle and was drawn to the town of Lagny-sur-Marne – where he settled. Antonio began teaching Edouard at an early age, and at 16, he exhibited his first work at the Société des Artistes Français entitled La Labour. The work was well received by the critics and the public – helping establish Édouard’s favorable reputation in Paris. It was at the turn of the century 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, Cortès 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 its seasons for more than 60 years. Cortes was a frequent exhibitor at the exhibition halls in Paris, including the Salon d’Automne, Salon d’Hiver, Salon de la Société Nationale de l’Horticulture and Salon des Indépendants.