Maurice Levis was born and lived in Paris. He was a pupil of Harpignies and of Jules
Lefevre and Billet. He shifted form the densely worked handling of the Barbizon school towards the freer style of Boudin and Jongkind. His lightness of touch and clear coloring are apparent in this characteristic work.

Levis was a member of the Societe des Artistes Francais from 1888 and won several awards including a gold medal in 1927. He painted landscapes, often river and sea views, in his beloved Loire valley.