Eugène Paul (aka Paul Trelade): Aquatint "La Maison de Mimi Pinson"

This 1920s aquatint is by Eugène Paul (1895-1975), a famous French artist, whose early work was often signed with the pseudonym Paul Trelade (as in this piece). It depicts a real house at 18 rue de Mont-Cenis in Montmartre, Paris, which became popularly known as "La Maison de Mimi Pinson". Mimi Pinson was a fictional character created by Alfred Musset - an idealised poor working woman in 19th century Paris. She became a mythican icon of working class solidarity and the spirit of Montmartre. The piece has a lovely characterful atmosphere about it, which draws the eye. The house was also painted by other artists. Eugène (or "Gen") Paul also produced a series of other aquatints of Montmartre, where he was born. He went on to develop a strong French Expressionist style.