The cradle of Cubism
Le Bateau-Lavoir
Le Bateau-Lavoir at Place Emile Goudeau is a historically significant building that served as a communal residence and studio space for avant-garde artists of the early 20th century. Its name, "Le Bateau-Lavoir," may refer to its boat-like appearance and the laundry boats ("bateaux-lavoirs") that used to operate on the nearby Seine River. According to another interpretation the name Bateau was given due to the building's boat-like interior design, while Lavoir was a nickname coined by French poet Max Jacobs, since the building had one sole water point and toilet shared by all the tenants. This unassuming structure became an epicenter of creativity, nurturing groundbreaking talents like Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Juan Gris. Within its humble walls, these artists developed and propagated the Cubist movement, revolutionizing the art world.
As seen on
Montmartre City Tour: A Bohemian Adventure
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