Monday, December 23, 2013

Rue Cavallotti

One of the most interesting events of “Street Art Meets Modigliani” was the part where street artists were recreating some artworks of the Livornese painter. This reminded me of an interesting place in Paris: rue Cavallotti, a short street in the 18th arrondissement that strangely comes alive when the shops close their heavy shutters, decorated following the style of famous painters.
Modigliani shutter, rue Cavallotti, Paris
“Seated Woman with Child” (Motherhood), 1919
d'après Modigliani (1884-1920)

Gauguin shutter, rue Cavallotti, Paris
A mix of “Arearea” (Joyousness), 1892
and “Ia Orana Maria” (Hail Mary), 1891
d'après Gauguin (1848-1903)

Vermeer shutter, rue Cavallotti, Paris
A mix of “Woman in Blue Reading a Letter”, 1663
and “Mistress and Maid”, 1667
d'après Vermeer (1632-1675)

Sadly it didn't last: these photos were taken in July 2004 and a few years later the paintings had already been ferociously defaced by taggers. In summer 2011 the shutters were repainted with names and logos of famous venues of the Belle Époque.

External links: Que deviennent les rideaux peints de la rue Cavallotti? (Inside Paris, in French)
- Rue Cavallotti : The smallest open-air art museum in Paris! (Les Studios de Paris)

15 comments:

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

I am glad you captured these before they disappeared forever.

Jack said...

They are fascinating, VP, but your post makes me angry (again) about taggers' destruction.

Randy said...

These are so wonderful.

Gunn said...

SUPERB!

They would not have lasted long in Stavanger:(

cieldequimper said...

Good grief, I thought we were supposed to be in Florence!

VP said...

ciel - We were supposed NOT to be in Livorno!

Halcyon said...

What a shame. These paintings are really nice tributes to one of Livorno's most famous painters. :(
I'm glad you got the photos at least!

Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan blogger said...

Art can be found everywhere these days. A shame it was erased though!

Duncan In Kuantan

Karl said...

These are beautiful paintings, a nice tribute to Modigliani.

Dina said...

They were so beautiful. Are the new paintings damaged yet?

Luis Gomez said...

Great post VP. Wonderful street.

Taken For Granted said...

Wonderful historic photos. Taggers have no class to deface such works as these.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous. At least you captured them in all their glory.

Stefan Jansson said...

Some art is temporary, glad you captured these.

Unknown said...

What a great idea!