Art Masterpiece Today

Today I presented to the kids this painting called "In Front of the Chateau de Chastelloux" by Maurice Utrillo. We talked about the perspective and the season and colors. Also, the fact that Utrillo didn't pay much attention to detail. I had a little trouble with the title and had to figure out the pronunciation before today. Chastelloux is pronounced Shas-tel-loo. I am learning French now :) I think I'll be ready for Paris soon.

I've learned that Maurice Utrillo's Mother wasn't married to his Father who apparently was an Artist and an alcoholic. He was out of the picture from the get go. His Mother was an Artist's model and modeled for such famous artist's as Renoir. She was eventually taught to paint herself by Degas. Utrillo was given his last name by a Spanish art critic. He had a very sad childhood and didn't do well in school. His Mom left Maurice to his Grandmother to raise quite often while she pursed her painting. Grandma would actually spike his soup with wine to help him sleep. I'm guessing that's what eventually lead to him becoming an alcoholic by 17 years old. He was then in and out of asylums for a period of years. As therapy it was suggested that he take up painting. He was self taught and painted from memory or postcards. By his 40's he had become famous. In his early 50's he finally married and that was a much happier part of his life. He quit drinking and lived out a pretty normal life and died at 72.