'Notre Dame de Paris II' by Lucien Génin (circa 1930s)

'Notre Dame de Paris II', gouache on paper, by Lucien Génin (circa 1930s). One of two paintings of Notre Dame by this artist held by our gallery, it is also an absolutely charming and now, historic depiction from the 1930s, of the most famous cathedral in France. This version uses more exaggerated brushstrokes with strong colours attesting to its expressionist roots. Notre Dame is one of the most widely recognised symbols of the city of Paris and the French nation. As the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris, Notre-Dame contains the cathedra of the Archbishop of Paris. Approximately 12 million people visit Notre-Dame annually, making it the most visited monument in the city. While undergoing renovation and restoration, the roof of Notre-Dame caught fire on the evening of 15 April 2019. Burning for around 15 hours, the cathedral sustained serious damage. The government of France hopes the reconstruction can be completed by Spring 2024, in time for the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Unlike the actual cathedral, this artwork is in good condition, is newly framed and glazed and signed by the artist in the lower right hand corner. Upon request a video may be provided. 

About the Artist: After the devastation of the First World War, Lucien Génin (1894 - 1953) left his provincial home in the autumn of 1919 to find his fortune among the lively Parisians in the heart of Montmartre. Génin befriended the painters Frank Will, Gen Paul, Émile Boyer, Marcel Leprin, as well as Max Jacob and Dorival. Not concerning himself with producing "art", he beautifully captured the spirit of Paris between the wars while enjoying a truly Bohemian existence. Génin's works, in all their forms, perfectly convey the eclectic and friendly characters of the city. More than a painter of Paris, Génin is a painter of Parisians, of the passion that animates all his characters in the big city. He painted them in the alleys of Montmartre, dining on Place du Tertre, singing in the Lapain Agile, or in a car passing by on the grands boulevards. He exhibited his works at the Salon d'Automne in 1930. Those paintings were witness to the end of the Roaring Twenties and the beginning of the world depression of 1929. The art critics stated that he created intelligent, composed, colourful, sensitive, skilful, delicate, humorous and witty works of art. A painting by Lucien Génin was awarded an important prize from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1932. 

When they do become available, Génin's artworks inspire spirited bidding at international auction houses as values increase along with his stature in the art world. This gallery holds several works by Génin on this platform. Please feel free to make enquiries.

Dimensions with frame:

H 25 cm / 9.8"

W 36 cm / 14.2"

Dimensions without frame:

H 15.5 cm / 6.1"

W 26.5 cm / 10.4"