Utrillo was cold-shouldered by the art world for many years but is now an admired post-impressionist painter, along with artists such as Monet and Renoir. In December his painting Le Parevent ...

His pictures might be quiet, but his life was not. A drunk at 13, in an asylum at 18, Utrillo was set to painting as occupational therapy. His mother also got around to art in a casual way.

Maurice Utrillo may not be a household name but for many his picturesque cityscapes and postcard-quality Parisian street scenes are a national treasure, and now some have raised over $7m at auction.

Utrillo was cold-shouldered by the art world for many years but is now an admired post-impressionist painter, along with artists such as Monet and Renoir. In December his painting Le Parevent ...