'Restaurant du Coucou Montmartre Paris' by Lucien Génin (circa 1930s)

'Restaurant du Coucou Montmartre Paris', gouache on paper, by Lucien Génin (circa 1930s). "The rather inaccessible position occupied by the Restaurant du Coucou has saved it, so far, to the coterie of artists, actors, journalists, and literary folk who, with their friends, make up its clientele. It perches like a bird's nest on the steep hillside which surrounds the Sacré Cœur. In front of the picturesque, dilapidated old building which is the restaurant proper, lies a tiny square, the name of which I shall not give - for if you have not the energy to find it, you don't deserve to know about the Restaurant du Coucou." (Ref: 'Paris à la Carte', by Julian Street, published by John Lane Co., 1912). Lucien Génin certainly chronicled Paris and its people. Although most of his works depicted famous buildings and boulevards of the city, he also knew the bohemian hideouts, particularly in Montmartre. The Restaurant du Coucou seemed to be one of those places. Its chef and proprietor, Vincent, came from Asti in Italy and managed to run la maison with the aid of his wife and three children. Don't you love an artwork with a story? The painting itself is in good overall condition and is in the frame and glass in which it was acquired, nicks, scratches and blemishes at no extra charge. There are some minor blemishes on the mount to which the artwork is attached. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying this listing. Upon request a video will be provided. The artist signed the work in the lower left hand. 

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 46 cm / 18.1"

W 54 cm / 21.3"

Dimensions without frame:

H 32 cm / 12.6"

W 40 cm / 15.7"