Suzanne Valadon rose from abject poverty to become one of the most acclaimed artists in France – at a time when few women were taken seriously.
From being a street urchin, acrobat and stunt rider she switched to modelling for some of the most famous names in Impressionist art, including Renoir
Before deciding to have a go at painting herself – creating her own unique style and transforming the way the female body was represented.
She painted from instinct and transcended different styles and movements - she refused to be defined yet won the respect of the art world – and was a trailblazer for women choosing to live their lives the way they wanted.
She was also the mother for her more famous artist son – Maurice Utrillo.
Finding Out More
It is quite difficult to find out information about Suzanne Valadon – there are different versions of most events in her life and no single authoritative source. The biography by John Storm is probably the best place to start. I have listed this and some other books on her son Maurice Utrillo on my Amazon Store Page. https://www.amazon.com/shop/professorgraemeyorston
Academic References
Biéder, J., & Bénézech, M. (2016, April). Au sujet de l’expertise mentale de Maurice Utrillo par Gaétan Gatian de Clérambault (1921). In Annales Médico-psychologiques, revue psychiatrique (Vol. 174, No. 3, pp. 226-230). Elsevier Masson.
Storm, J. (1958) The Valadon Drama. Dutton, New York.
Zarranz, J. J. (2023). The Sainte-Anne hospital in Paris: a key institution in the development of clinical neuroscience. Neurosciences and History 2023; 11(4): 158-175
Copyright Disclaimer
The primary purpose of this video is educational. I have tried to use material in the public domain or with Creative Commons Non-attribution licences wherever possible. Where attribution is required, I have listed this below. I believe that any copyright material used falls under the remit of Fair Use, but if any content owners would like to dispute this, I will not hesitate to immediately remove that content. It is not my intention to infringe on content ownership in any way. If you happen to find your art or images in the video, please let me know and I will be glad to credit you.
Images
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Wellcome Collection
Internet Archive
Music
Erik Satie: Gymnopèdie n.1 Michael Lauke Guitar CC4.0,
Gymnopèdie n.1 Cello and Harp CC0; Gnossienne 3 Michael Retting and Clovis Michon Piano and cello CC0; Gymnopèdie n.3 - Arr for soprano saxophone and strings. David Hernando Vitores. CC4.0; Gnossienne 1 La Pianista CC3.0; Gnossienne 2 La Pianista CC3.0; Gnossienne 5 La Pianista CC3.0; Gnossienne 4 Piano clarinet LorinJonesStubbs Music CC0, Je te Veux Fantastic piano CC0, Dessicated embryos Yuuh Music CC0; Ogives 1 jyT CC Attribution
Debussy - Arabesque No-1 in E - Piano Performance by eldüendesüarez. CC4.0; Cake Walk - Piano Performance by eldüendesüarez CC4.0; Debussy, Préludes (Book I) – VIII -La Fille aux cheveux de lin - Marcelle Meyer PD
Faure: Violin Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 13, by Gabriel Fauré. Yeh Che-Jui CC3.0 – Andante; Fantasie Alex Murray (flute) and Martha Goldstein (piano) CC2.0
Francisco Tarrega - Recuerdos de la Alhambra Carlo Alberto Boni CC3.0
Bizet-Horowitz Variations on the Carmen theme. Arthur Alper CC4.0
PeriTune Café Musette CC3.0
Kevin MacLeod: Supercircus CC3.0 http://aux.incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/mp3-royaltyfree/Super%20Circus.mp3
Chaminade- Concertino Alex Murray (flute) and Martha Goldstein (piano)
Claude Paul Taffanel - Wind Quintet in G minor - 1. Allegro Soni Ventorum Wind Qunitet CC2.0
Jacques Offenbach's - Orpheus in the Underworld Musopen PD; Geneviève de Brabant United States Marine Band PD
Imperial forces Aaron Kenny CC0
Video edited by Manavi Sakunika and produced by Graeme Yorston and Tom Yorston