Elegant Ladies on the Terrace by D. Enjolras

Inscribed Cecilia Josuan, Colegio de N. S. del Huerto, Buenos Aires, 1896 A rare “fixé sous verre” painting using a combined technique of chromolithography for the faces and hands, and silk embroidery for the clothes and background drape. Representing three women holding each other’s hands. Chromolithography technique uses thin paper motifs glued and varnished to integrate its support. Along from the rich Spanish legacy, Argentina is also very influenced since 19th century by European culture, notably Italian. Traces of American Indian culture are harder to find than in the other Latin America countries. During 19th century, with the National pride appears Argentina specific cultural themes. The Gaucho character, keeping the cattle in the Pampas, is recurrent in literature and particularly in poetry: Fausto (1866), by Estanilaslao del Campo, or Martin Fierro (1872), by José Hernandez, often considered to be an hymn to the Pampa. Painting also celebrates this genre with the works of painter Prilidiano Pueyrredon (1823-1870). At the beginning of 19th century, painters in Latin America and particularly in Argentina are foreigners (French, Germans and British) named Costumbristas, painting folkloric landscapes and portraits much appreciated in Europe. During second part of 19th century, a national painting appears with internationally renowned painters such as Prilidiano Pueyrredon, Angel de La Valle...

Signed Lionel Royer and dated 1882 (?) Former Salon exhibition label at the top right, n°538 Indication of an exhibition in Lyon on the back of the frame, n°163 Beautiful painting ...