Edouard Cortes was born in France in 1882. His grandfather, originally from Spain, left Madrid when Edouard was very young and moved to Paris to eventually marry a French woman. Their son (Edouard's' father) was the first in the family to pick up a brush: painting strictly for his own pleasure, he limited his work to country scenes, specializing in landscapes dotted with cows.

As a child, Edouard Cortes liked to sketch everything and everybody who he came into contact with. He later studied at the National French Art School in Paris (more a university than a school) for five years, from the age seventeen until he was twenty-two. He first exhibited in 1902 at the Salon, the main exhibition of the Fine Art in Paris at that time. His painting, Parisian Street Scene at Nightfall, won him success and glory.

He soon became a member of the French Artists Society, exhibiting his works every year as his reputation began to grow. In 1915, he was awarded the Silver medal at the Salon des Artistes Francais and the gold Medal at the Salon des Independants. He also received numerous awards at the Salon d'Hiver.

Throughout his life, Edouard Cortes worked on improving his talent and his technique. Unlike many artists, he never opened a school in his studio or offered to teach aspiring artists (although many claim to have studied under him). He has also never signed his name to any painting other than his own.

His paintings are exhibited in the museums of France and many other foreign countries, including Belgium, England, Switzerland, Sweden and Canada.

Biography courtesy of Roughton Galleries, www.antiquesandfineart.com/roughton