Maurice Utrillo was the illegitimate son of Sussane Valladon, model to several impressionist painters, and an aspiring artist herself. Maurice may have been the son any one of several artists for whom she posed, among them Puvis de Chavanne, and other famous painters. The fact is that a Spanish painter named Utrillo gave him his name. Maybe he was one of any number of possible fathers. The young boy grew up in a bohemian atmosphere and his mother's promiscuous and unstable lifestyle affected him in his emotional development. From a very early age he was considered an alcoholic, and suffered from severe insecurity and other emotional problems. Also, from a very early age he exhibited great artistic talent, and was recognized as a young artist. He was afflicted for most of his life, and had several nervous breakdowns and periods of rehabilitation. Finally, late in his life, he had a religious conversion (catholic), followed by marriage to a good woman who took loving care of him, and he enjoyed years of peace and stability before he died. Most of his paintings show either empty city streets, or scenes with people walking away, as if to symbolize his difficulties in human relations. Gabe Meruelo.
Maurice Utrillo was the illegitimate son of Sussane Valladon, model to several impressionist painters, and an aspiring artist herself. Maurice may have been the son any one of several artists for whom she posed, among them Puvis de Chavanne, and other famous painters. The fact is that a Spanish painter named Utrillo gave him his name. Maybe he was one of any number of possible fathers. The young boy grew up in a bohemian atmosphere and his mother's promiscuous and unstable lifestyle affected him in his emotional development. From a very early age he was considered an alcoholic, and suffered from severe insecurity and other emotional problems. Also, from a very early age he exhibited great artistic talent, and was recognized as a young artist. He was afflicted for most of his life, and had several nervous breakdowns and periods of rehabilitation. Finally, late in his life, he had a religious conversion (catholic), followed by marriage to a good woman who took loving care of him, and he enjoyed years of peace and stability before he died. Most of his paintings show either empty city streets, or scenes with people walking away, as if to symbolize his difficulties in human relations. Gabe Meruelo.
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