Gaîté Montparnasse: Dernière Galerie de Droite
- Artist: Walter Richard Sickert
- Date: 1907
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the “Montparnasse Merriment: Last Right Gallery” by Walter Richard Sickert, painted in 1907. The title itself gives us a hint: the work is set in the vibrant Montparnasse district, a hub of artistic activity at the turn of the century. Sickert, known for his keen eye for everyday scenes, likely channels the energy of the bustling boulevard and the intimate corners of a Parisian gallery.
You’ll notice that the composition places the viewer almost on the right side of the scene, inviting us to peer into a world of cafés, artists, and quiet conversations. The date, 1907, situates the painting just before World War I, a period when artists were beginning to experiment with new styles and themes.
Even without knowing the exact medium, the brushwork suggests a blend of precision and fluidity. It feels like a snapshot frozen in time, capturing the subtle play of light across brick walls and the gentle bustle of people moving between stalls and artworks. As you stand before it, try to imagine the scent of fresh paint and coffee, and the murmur of conversations echoing from the last right-hand gallery. The painting invites you to linger, to feel the pulse of Montparnasse at that specific moment in history.
See it in person
Gaîté Montparnasse: Dernière Galerie de Droite hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
