ELIE ANATOLE PAVIL ~ Glorious Parisian Street Scene

Elie Anatole Pavil was born in Odessa in the Ukraine in 1873.  In 1891 he arrived in Paris aged 18 and after a brief return to Russia settled permanently in Montmartre in 1899, becoming a French citizen in 1911.

After studying at the Adademie Julian under William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Pavil first exhibited his paintings in Paris in 1904 at the Salon des Peintres de Paris, and thereafter continued to exhibit at various Paris salons.  His first solo exhibition was at the Galerie Bernheim in Paris in 1907, followed by three more one-man shows at the Galerie Georges Petit in 1921, 1924 and 1929, and in 1923 he exhibited at the Peinture Moderne Group III with Picasso, Utrillo, Valadon, Van Dongen and Vlaminck.  Pavil concentrated principally on Parisian street scenes, particularly in the Montmartre area, as well as views of the Canal de l’Ourcq and river banks. Claude Monet, is known to have described Pavil’s paintings as “little marvels.”  His exposure to the Impressionists meant that he was very sensitive to how light varied according to the time of day, season of the year, or atmospheric conditions.  He is described by many as one of the finest expatriate impressionist painters that worked in France.

This present composition is quintessential Pavil – a lively Paris street scene of the Porte Saint Denis, allowing one to catch a glimpse of elegant Parisiennes – a view which has captured the imagination of many through the decades. It is signed by the artist and presented in excellent condition.

Elie Pavil exhibited his paintings in Paris, at the Salon des Artistes Français (from 1905), at the Salon des Indépendants (from 1906), and at the Salon d’Automne (from 1906). In 1928, he received an honourable mention, and in 1930 and 1931 silver medals. He was made a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 1930.

Examples of his paintings can be found in the Musee d’Orsay and in the Musee de Petit Palais in Paris.