Paul Lucien Maze (1887-1979) Franco-British Artist

The Last of the Post Impressionists

Paul Lucien Maze, often hailed as “The Last of the Post-Impressionists”, was a Franco-British painter whose life and work bridged the elegance of Impressionism with the modern sensibilities of 20th-century British art. Born in Le Havre, Normandy in 1887, Maze was immersed in art from an early age. His father, a successful tea merchant and art collector, counted Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and Raoul Dufy among his close friends. Maze learned the fundamentals of painting from Pissarro and sketched alongside Dufy as a child.

Early Life and Artistic Formation

Educated in both France and England, Maze was sent to Southampton at age 12 to perfect his English—a move that sparked a lifelong affection for British culture. Though initially expected to join his father's business, his passion for art led him to Perugia, Italy, to paint in 1914. His early career was interrupted by World War I, during which he served as a military draughtsman for the British Army. His reconnaissance sketches were so precise that they earned him multiple decorations, including the Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, and France’s Croix de Guerre and Légion d’Honneur.

Friendship with Winston Churchill

Maze’s wartime service brought him into contact with Winston Churchill, with whom he formed a deep and enduring friendship. Maze became Churchill’s artistic mentor, encouraging him to pursue painting seriously. Churchill later wrote the foreword to Maze’s memoir A Frenchman in Khaki (1934), praising his ability to “create an impression at once true and beautiful”.

Artistic Style and Influences

Maze’s work is characterised by a lyrical use of pastels, a medium he mastered under the guidance of Édouard Vuillard, who believed it best suited Maze’s temperament and style. Though he also worked in oils and watercolours, pastels became his signature medium. His subjects ranged from ceremonial British events—such as Trooping the Colour, Henley Regatta, and Goodwood races—to French maritime scenes, New York cityscapes, and pastoral English landscapes.

Family and Personal Life

Maze married Margaret Nelson in 1921, a widow of a wartime friend, and settled in London. After their divorce in 1949, he married Jessie Lawrie, a Scottish woman who became a frequent subject in his paintings. They lived in Treyford, West Sussex, where Maze continued to paint until his death in 1979—reportedly with a pastel in hand, overlooking the South Downs.

Exhibitions and Collections

Maze exhibited widely in London, Paris, and New York, with his first solo show held at Wildenstein Gallery in New York in 1952. His works are held in prestigious institutions including:

• Tate Gallery

• Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

• Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum

• Government Art Collection

• River & Rowing Museum

• Ulster Museum

• Manchester Art Gallery

His collectors included HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and Peggy Rockefeller, reflecting his appeal among elite circles.

Market Trends and Collector Insights

His works are especially sought after for their English ceremonial themes, which resonate with collectors of British heritage art.

Why Collect Paul Lucien Maze Today?

For new collectors, Maze offers:

• Historical depth: A direct link to Impressionism and British wartime history.

• Affordability: Accessible price points for original works.

• Institutional credibility: Works held in major museums and royal collections.

For seasoned collectors:

• Provenance-rich pieces: Many works come with ties to Churchill or royal commissions.

• Medium mastery: His pastel technique is unmatched in British modern art.

• Market stability: Steady demand.

Sources: www.artbiogs.co.uk and other web-based research