Valadon, Utrillo and Utter in the Rue Cortot studio: 1912-1926

Abstract

At the turn of the twentieth century, the studios at 12-14 rue Cortot were major centres of artistic creation where many artists had lived. Suzanne Valadon, who had previously lived in rue Cortot until 1905 with her first husband, the banker Paul Moussis, returned to live in the Cortot studio in 1912 with her son Maurice Utrillo and her lover, André Utter. Despite the arguments with André Utter and her son’s escapades, this was the most productive period in Suzanne Valadon’s life. These painters, who were soon dubbed the “wicked trinity”, left their mark on the art world. The tension and passion between the three artists led to the emergence of a creative energy that increased their output of works and enabled their work to blossom and renew itself during the period of time they spent together. - To mark the 150th anniversary of Suzanne Valadon’s birth, the Musée de Montmartre is paying tribute to the “wicked trinity” by presenting a selection of some 150 works that attests to their creative and intimate complicity in this magical place, which has recently been renovated.