Edouard Cortes

(1882-1969)

Edouard Cortès was born in Lagny, France on August 6, 1882. During his early lifetime, Paris was the center of the art world. Artist from across the globe traveled there to study and paint its 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,Luigi Loir and Jean Beraud 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.

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 settled in the town of Lagny-sur-Marne. Antonio had three children – Édouard, Henri and Jeanne, and while all had artistic talent, it was Édouard who had the passion.  Edouard Cortès was 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 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.

In 1914 Edouard married Fernande Joyeuse and had a child – Jacqueline Simone in 1916. Fernande died in 1918 and shortly thereafter Édouard decided to marry his sister-in-law Lucienne Joyeuse. They settled in Paris and Edouard continued to paint views of Paris. By the mid 1920’s, Edouard and his family moved back to Lagny and he began painting scenes of country life, including landscapes, interior scenes and still life. He was an active member of the Union des Beaux-Arts de Lagny and was the Unions first
president. Their inaugural exhibition was held in 1927 and Cortès 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.

During the years of World War II, Cortès and his family spent their time in Cormelles-le-Royal 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. His beautiful depictions of Paris were always in demand and he continued to paint them until his death in 1969.

Exhibitions:

1899                      Société des Artistes Français

1927-1938            Salon d’Automne

Salon d’Hiver

Salon de la Société Nationale de l’Horticulture

Salon des Indépendants

Bibliography:

E. Benezit Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs, and Le Poète Parisien de la Peinture.