Pierre-marie Beyle (1837- 1902) - Les Amoureux- Circa 1870.

Oil on canvas signed lower right
Dimensions: 81 x 65 cm, with frame: 101.5 x 85.5 cm

This painting features a couple of musicians. The boy is holding a mandolin and the girl is holding a songbook or a sheet of music. The light highlights their delicate gestures, and their attitudes marked with tenderness. The forest, like a frame within a frame, serves as an alcove for their discussions. The colors are nuanced, ranging from carmine red to pastel tones.

Pierre-Marie Beyle is a 19th century French painter, illustrator and cartoonist. He was born in Lyon in 1838, studied in Paris. In the capital, he exhibited regularly at the Salon, from 1867 to 1900. He painted circus scenes, sketched from life, while he followed the itinerant strollers. Around 1870, he went to Algiers. The themes of the city echoed in his painting. In 1877, the artist exhibited two paintings: A bazaar at the Kasbah of Algiers and Yamina, Moorish of Algiers. From then on, he became known as a painter of historical scenes, genre and the fantasized Orient. He exhibited at the Grafton Gallery in London in 1881, then went to Scotland where he exhibited at the Institute of Fine Arts in Glasgow. In 1900, he exhibited at the Universal Exhibition. Towards the end of his life, he moved to Chennevieres-sur-Marne.

Museums: • André Malraux Museum of Modern Art - MuMa, Le Havre. • Tatihou Island Museum, Saint-Vaast-la Hougue. • George Sand and the Black Valley Museum, La Châtre. • Fécamp Museum; Rochefort museum; Valence museum. • The Victoria and Albert Museum, London. • Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria.

Bibliography: • Bénézit, Gallica.