Painted in 1920, Montmartre by Adolphe Belliard captures the distinctive character of the Parisian neighbourhood at the beginning of the twentieth century.
The composition follows a quiet ascending street towards the unmistakable silhouette of the Sacré-Cœur, visible through the buildings and trees in the distance. Modest houses, garden fences and two small figures give the scene an intimate character, presenting Montmartre not simply as a Parisian landmark but as a lived neighbourhood.
Belliard structures the composition around the rising street, leading the eye from the foreground towards the hill and the basilica beyond. Warm ochres and yellows contrast with muted blues, greys and greens, while the simplified architectural forms and confident brushwork give the painting a distinctly modern early twentieth-century character.
Created in 1920, the work also records Montmartre during an important period in its cultural history. By this time, the district had become internationally associated with the artists, writers and cafés of bohemian Paris, while retaining the steep streets, modest houses and village-like atmosphere visible in Belliard’s painting.
An evocative original Parisian cityscape combining architectural interest with the atmosphere of historic Montmartre.
Oil on canvas, 1920. Signed lower right.
78 × 95 cm including frame.
