61 - “Steps with an Opuntia and a Group of Figures,” attributed to Léon Detroy (Chinon 1859–1955 Saint-Germain-d’Arcé)

“Steps with an Opuntia and a Group of Figures,” attributed to Léon Detroy (Chinon 1859–1955 Saint-Germain-d’Arcé) Oil on canvas. Signed in two lines at the lower right: “A Ch. M[illegible] / Affectueusement L Detroy.” The signature is executed in black and reddish-brown paint; the lettering is not uniform. A steep staircase between light-colored buildings; on the right, two children on a masonry pillar and two women on the adjoining balustrade, with a large opuntia above them. A blue sky above a high horizon. The paint layer features impasto application, particularly in the areas of architecture and vegetation. Isolated fine drying cracks in the impasto-painted light areas of the architecture. Dark brown to black speck-like deposits scattered across the picture surface. Frame with scuffs and isolated areas of paint loss. Gilded inner molding with cracks, particularly near the lower right corner. Painting dimensions 65 × 53.5 cm, frame dimensions 92.5 × 81.5 cm. Detroy’s oeuvre includes landscapes of the Creuse as well as motifs from Italy and North Africa. Condition: II +