RAMÓN TUSQUETS I MAIGNON (Barcelona, 1837 - Rome, 1904). "Rural scene, Italy". Oil on canvas. Signed in the lower right corner. Size: 100 x 74 cm; 114 x 88 cm (frame). In this genre scene, an almost photographic realist will and a romantic idealisation coincide, the result of Busquets' sincere love for these places where time slows down. The vertical format favours the amplitude of the sky, clean except for the subtle clouds through which the morning light filters. These extract toasted tones with amber cadences from the grass and straw. The young woman tending the animals in the farmyard, silent, watches the newly hatched chicks with an absent air. With masterly technique, each of the old slabs of the farmhouse, each trunk, each blade of grass, is described.... However, the detail does not neglect the general, atmospheric impression of rich contrasts of light. Tusquets began his studies with Ramón Moliné, and at the same time published some of his caricatures in "El tros de paper", signed under the pseudonym Patufet. He then travelled to Italy on his own, where he would live for the rest of his life. After a year's stay in Rome, where he studied at the Accademia Chigi and joined the circle of Catalan painters who lived there, he took part for the first time in the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Madrid (1867), where he was awarded a third-class medal. He also took part in the Barcelona Exhibition of the same year, where he presented the work "Cocina" ("Kitchen"), which was acquired by the Diputació de Barcelona. Oriental themes, directly influenced by Fortuny's work, and views of the countryside and the environs of Rome are frequent in his production during this period. In 1869 he travelled around Andalusia with the Italian Pio Joris, taking notes for compositions such as "El requiebro". In 1871 he sent a work from Rome to the National Competition and was awarded a second medal. In 1872 he struck up a deep friendship with Fortuny, and they undertook a trip to Naples together. There they became acquainted with the latest trends of the Portici group and, in particular, became interested in the work of Domenico Morelli. At this time Tusquets was painting landscapes of Naples and Amalfi, and specialised in compositions of rural landscapes with figures dressed in traditional costumes. On Fortuny's death he reproduced his funeral in an impressive painting, in which the influence of the "macchiaioli" can be seen. In 1875 he exhibited several paintings at the International Circle in Rome and was highly praised by Italian critics. In 1877 he was awarded the diploma of honour, the only one reserved for foreigners, at the Naples Exhibition, and the Italian government acquired his work. During these years his works were exhibited in numerous European cities, winning prizes at the Universal Exhibitions in Vienna (1876) and Paris (1878). In 1880 he exhibited for the first time at the Sala Parés in Barcelona. Having settled permanently in Rome, Tusquets was appointed president of the city's International Artistic Circle. With his works of the 1880s he established himself in the official historicist genre, so far removed from the simple compositions of his earlier periods. During his last years he painted a wide range of subjects, depicting orientalist scenes as well as scenes of customs and historicism. He is represented in the Prado Museum, the MACBA in Barcelona, the Museum of Montserrat and the National Art Museum of Catalonia.