c.1940
Édouard Leon Cortès is widely known for his Impressionistic renderings of Parisian promenades and rustic French hamlets. The son and pupil of Spanish painter Antonio Cortès, his influences included Barbizon painters Constant Troyon and Henri Harpignies.
Establishing a name for himself early on in his long career, Cortès first exhibited a painting he called La Labour at the Société des Artistes Français when he was still in his late teens. He found success among art critics as well as the public and earned renown in France. Cortès went on to study at École des Beaux-Arts.
As World War I gained steam, Cortès willingly joined the French military effort even though he was a pacifist. The artist spent time sketching enemy positions on the front lines, and this may have deepened his anti-war resolve. When he was able to return to his easel, Cortès desired solely to paint peaceful scenes of France’s capital city.
Later, during World War II, Cortès and his family spent time in Normandy to escape the horrors of the conflict. When asked about his depictions of horse-drawn carriages in the streets of Paris as well as outdated fashions — dresses and other garments that bore the hallmarks of pre-1930s fashion design, for example — he cited a fantasy he had about being able to “stop time” so that the Second World War wouldn’t have taken place.
A humble man, Cortès refused interviews and preferred anonymity. He remarked that his oil paintings, pastels and watercolors should speak for themselves. Cortès was prolific — he painted the streets of Paris and its well-known landmarks as well as majestic landscapes, interiors, boats and scenes that unfolded at Parisian harbors. Ten years after his death in 1969, the city of Lagny — where Cortès had spent most of his life — named a street in his honor.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of original Édouard Leon Cortès paintings.
Arc de Triomphe - Impressionist Figures in Cityscape Oil by Edouard Leon Cortes
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed oil on canvas figures in cityscape circa 1960 by sought after French impressionist painter Edouard Cortes. The work depicts a view of the Arc de Triomphe and Avenue de Friedla...
Oil, Canvas
Le Quai du Louvre - Impressionist Figures in Landscape Oil by Edouard Cortes
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed impressionist oil on canvas board figures in cityscape circa 1940 by sought after French painter Edouard Cortes. The work depicts a bustling evening street scene at the quay b...
Canvas, Oil, Board
Port Saint-Denis - Le Soir - Impressionist Cityscape Oil by Edouard Cortes
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed oil on canvas figures in landscape circa 1920 by sought after French impressionist painter Edouard Cortes. The work depicts an autumnal scene of the the Porte Saint-Denis (St ...
Canvas, Oil
La Madeleine – Le Soir Impressionist Cityscape Oil Painting by Edouard Cortes
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed figures in landscape circa 1950 by French impressionist painter Eduoard Cortes. The work depicts a view of La Madaleine, a Catholic parish church situated on Place de la Madel...
Oil, Canvas
Le Cafe Briard - Paris - Impressionist Figures in Landscape Oil - Edouard Cortes
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed impressionist oil on canvas figures in cityscape circa 1930 by sought after French painter Edouard Cortes. The work depicts a bustling evening street scene outside the Cafe Br...
Canvas, Oil
Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle - Impressionist Cityscape Oil by Edouard Leon Cortes
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed and titled oil on canvas figures in cityscape circa 1930 by sought after French impressionist painter Edouard Cortes. The work depicts a bustling evening street sccene on the...
Canvas, Oil
"Theatre du Vaudeville", Edouard Cortes, 18x22, Oil/Canvas, French Impressionism
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Dallas, TX
Vaudeville Theatre by Edouard Cortes was painted circa 1955-60 and signed lower left. It is oil on canvas measuring 18x22 in original unlined condition....
Canvas, Oil
Avenue de Friedland, L’Arc de Triomphe
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Missouri, MO
Framed Size: 21 x 26 inches *This work has been authenticated by Nicole Verdier Provenance: Johnson Gallery, Chicago IL, circa 1967/1968 Cortès was born in Lagny, France on April 26, 1882. During his early lifetime, Paris was the center of the art world. Artist from across the globe traveled there to study and paint it's 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. Édouard Cortès, along with other artists like Eugene Galien-Laloue (1854-1941), Luigi Loir (1845-1916) and Jean Beraud (1849-1936) 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.Édouard was the son of Antonio Cortès - the Spanish Court painter - who was himself the son of the artisan André Cortès...
Canvas, Oil
"Theatre de Sara Barnhardt", Edouard Cortes, 13x18, Oil on Canvas, Impressionism
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Dallas, TX
Theatre de Sara Bernhart et Place de Chatelet by Edouard Cortes was painted circa 1935-40 and signed lower right. It is an oil on canvas measuring 13x18...
Canvas, Oil
"Nocturne Arc de Triomphe" Colorful Parisian Impressionist Oil Painting Framed
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful oil painting by the French artist, Jack Prudnik. Prudnik was an American painter known for his colorful cityscapes depicting the times of his ...
Oil, Panel
Lumiere Du Soir Sur La Boulevard De Madeleine
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Belgravia, London, London
Oil on canvas Canvas size: 13 x 18 inches Framed size: Signed lower right
Canvas, Oil
"L'Arc de Triomphe, Paris" Post-Impressionist City Scape Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful oil on canvas painting by the French artist A Bouget, a Parisian painter known for his vibrant cityscapes that depicted the times of his generation. This painting is a wo...
Canvas, Oil
