EDOUARD LEON CORTES

Edouard Leon Cortes, born into a family of artisans in Paris in 1882, was destined for a life of artistry. Cortes demonstrated exceptional talent from a young age, declaring, “I was born from and for painting.” He honed his skills under his father’s guidance and debuted at the Societe des Artistes Francais exhibition in 1899 at just sixteen. Becoming a member of the French Artists’ Society, Cortes devoted himself to capturing the essence of Paris in his celebrated cityscapes. Awarded the Silver Medal at the Salon des Artistes Francais in 1915, he continued to receive accolades throughout his career, executing variations of his primary theme: the beauty of Paris. Cortes commented that he wished to stop history in 1939 before the Second World War. Cortes achieved special success in the United States and Canada, where he first exhibited in 1945. Celebrated as the “Parisian Poet of Painting,” Cortes was a master at capturing the vibrant energy and romantic beauty of the City of Lights.