A cityscape by Maurice Utrillo, 'View of Montmagny' captures the essence of the town with its clustered buildings and surrounding greenery, rendered in a palette of greens, yellows, and whites.

Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955) was a French painter known for his cityscapes, particularly of Montmartre in Paris. Born Maurice Valadon, he was the son of artist Suzanne Valadon, who named him Utrillo after Miguel Utrillo, who may or may not have been the child's father. Utrillo struggled with mental illness and alcoholism throughout his life, and his artistic career was encouraged as a form of therapy. He is associated with the School of Paris, and his work often depicts the urban environment with a sense of melancholy and isolation. 'View of Montmagny' presents a panorama of the town, with its buildings clustered together and surrounded by greenery. The palette is dominated by greens, yellows, and whites, creating a hazy, atmospheric effect. The brushwork is loose and expressive, conveying a sense of movement and energy. The composition is divided into distinct zones, with the townscape occupying the middle ground and the foreground filled with trees and foliage. The sky is rendered in a pale, muted tone, adding to the overall sense of quietude.