Bernot House - Maurice Utrillo

A 1924 urban scene by Maurice Utrillo, depicting a quiet street in Montmartre with the Sacré-Cœur visible in the distance.

Maurice Utrillo, a central figure of the School of Paris, is recognised for his depictions of the streets of Montmartre. This work, dated February 1924, captures a quiet corner of the district with the characteristic restraint that defines his middle period. The composition focuses on the Bernot House, a structure rendered with the artist's signature application of paint, often mixed with plaster to achieve a distinct, textured surface that mimics the weathered stone and crumbling mortar of Parisian architecture. The scene is populated by small, anonymous figures walking along a cobblestone path. Their presence provides a sense of scale to the surrounding buildings, which are painted in a muted palette of greys, ochres, and whites. In the background, the dome of the Sacré-Cœur basilica rises above the rooftops, a recurring motif in Utrillo's work that anchors his scenes within the specific geography of the neighbourhood. The lighting is diffuse and overcast, typical of the artist's preference for atmospheric conditions that emphasise the structural qualities of the buildings rather than dramatic effects. Utrillo's approach to perspective is direct, often relying on the lines of walls and streets to guide the viewer through the space. Unlike his contemporaries who sought to deconstruct form, Utrillo maintained a representational clarity. His work reflects a personal, almost solitary engagement with the urban environment. By focusing on the mundane aspects of daily life in Montmartre, he documented a version of the city that was rapidly changing during the early twentieth century. This print captures the tactile quality of the original oil painting, preserving the layered application of pigment and the sombre, contemplative mood that characterises his best-known urban studies.