Walking Through History: Locating the Legacy of Beauford Delaney in Montparnasse

 

Walking Through History: Locating the Legacy of Beauford Delaney in Montparnasse

​For the researcher and the curious wanderer alike, Paris is more than a city; it is a layered archive. Among the many figures whose lives left an indelible mark on the Left Bank, the American painter Beauford Delaney (1901–1979) stands out as a vibrant, luminous presence. A master of color and a pioneer of abstract expressionism, Delaney found in Montparnasse a home that nurtured his spirit and his art for over two decades.

​Today, you can trace his footsteps through two specific sites in the 14th arrondissement, preserved by the tireless efforts of Les Amis de Beauford Delaney (The Friends of Beauford Delaney).

​The Sites of Remembrance

  • ​28 Rue d’Odessa (Hôtel Odessa): This quiet street corner offers a glimpse into the early chapter of Delaney’s Parisian life. The plaque here commemorates his residency at this address in 1953, the year he arrived in the city that would define his later years. It is a humble, evocative spot that invites reflection on the transition of an artist moving from the bustling streets of Greenwich Village to the intellectual and creative ferment of post-war Paris.
  • ​20 bis Rue de la Gaîté (Hôtel Le M): Situated on a street famous for its historic theaters and cafes, this location honors a more social aspect of the artist’s life. In the mid-20th century, this building housed the restaurant Les Mille Colonnes, a favorite dining spot where Delaney spent many hours from the 1950s through the 1970s. The plaque installed here serves as a testament to the community that sustained him—both through nourishment and conversation.

​Preserving a Legacy: Les Amis de Beauford Delaney

​The presence of these markers is not an accident of history, but the result of intentional, long-term stewardship. Les Amis de Beauford Delaney, a French non-profit organization (Association 1901) founded in 2009, has been the primary engine behind the physical and historical reclamation of Delaney’s legacy in France.

​Beyond the installation of these commemorative plaques, the organization’s work has been essential in:

  • ​Restoring the Final Resting Place: They successfully located Delaney’s unmarked grave in the Cimetière Parisien de Thiais and spearheaded the effort to fund and install a dignified headstone.

  • ​Education and Advocacy: Through their long-running blog, Les Amis has acted as a digital archive, gathering research and stories that prevent the "dean of American Negro painters living abroad" from fading into obscurity.

  • ​Bridging Scholarship and Community: Their work has recently evolved into The Beauford Delaney Project, a digital humanities initiative led by the Wells International Foundation. This project continues the mission of Les Amis by integrating archival research with educational programming, ensuring that Delaney’s story remains a living, breathing part of modern cultural discourse.

​For anyone planning to walk through the Montparnasse neighborhood, these sites offer more than just points on a map; they are anchors for an ongoing, sustained practice of historical witness. By visiting, you are participating in the quiet, necessary work of ensuring that an extraordinary life remains a visible part of the Parisian landscape.

​For those interested in deep-diving into the archival research supporting these locations, you can explore the ongoing documentation efforts at The Beauford Delaney Project.

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