Montmartre In My Mind

Almost two years ago, there was a plan to build a Starbucks shop on Montmartre's Place du Tertre. It was met with strong opposition, as this cobbled square was where painters, street artists, and cartoonists do their trade for the tourists. They could do it elsewhere, but you have to travel to Paris to see why this plaza was important.

From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, Place du Tertre was where peniless painters like Pablo Picasso set up their easels and paint to their hearts' delight. This was what made Paris the mecca of art. Many artists from other parts of the world were drawn to it. Henry James was one of them, where he wrote about the squalor of the place. It was a depressing sight, but they saw something that inspired them.

The city of fantasists

Montmartre is located on the northern part of Paris. Locals can point it out right away, as the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur is seen from the distance. This is the area's most famous destination, an elevated spot highlighting its importance back then.

There was an air of uneasiness in Paris during the 19th century. A mad rush to conquer unchartered territories in Africa was happening, which led to the formation of alliances in Europe. More and more people were in a jingoistic mood, resulting to political friction. This reflected in the artwork, a creativity never seen before. This would make the French capital the cultural center of the continent. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was one of those notable artists. He was born on November 24, 1864. He was a diminutive fellow due to his family's history of inbreeding. His parents saw his potential in painting, which he didn't disappoint.

Toulouse-Lautrec spent his entire adult life in Montmartre. He was drawn to the bohemian lifestyle. He enjoyed the company of his fellow painters, who were struggling to sell their paintings for food. The prostitutes he befriended became the subject of most of his works. It was a glorious past, which the current inhabitants of Montmartre tried to cling on. This was where post-Impressionism was born. This was also where Modernist literature developed. This was art at its finest. Then the artists migrated to Montparnasse after World War I. Cheaper rent was one of the reasons. It was also a changing of the time, as the artists became politically aware. Moulin Rouge was all that was left of Montmartre. It happened to be its other major attraction.

Numerous plays, films, and books were about the cabaret that would celebrate the bohemian life. It wasn't hard to imagine Toulouse-Lautrec - and other artists - having a carefree time in able to forget the hardship and sorrow. Moulin Rouge is still standing. Place du Tertre is also there. There are artists everywhere. Visitors can't help but reminisce the good, old time.