Maurice Utrillo was born in Paris on December 26, 1883. His mother was model and artist Suzanne Valadon and Maurice was given his name by Spanish art critic, Miguel Utrillo. An alcoholic, Utrillo began painting as therapy and his preferred subjects were the deteriorating houses and streets of Montmartre. Utrillo was made a chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1928. He died in 1955.
