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

Oil on canvas. Bears a two-line inscription lower right, “A Ch. M[illegible] / Affectueusement L Detroy”. The inscription is executed in black and reddish-brown paint, the two sets of lettering not coinciding exactly. A steep flight of steps between light-coloured architectural forms; to the right, two children seated on a masonry pier and two women seated on the adjoining parapet, with a large opuntia above. Blue sky above a high horizon line. The paint is applied in impasto, particularly in the architecture and vegetation. Scattered fine drying cracks in the light-coloured architectural impasto. Pinpoint dark brown to black accretions across the painted surface. Frame with abrasions and scattered losses to the decorative finish. Gilt inner slip with cracks, particularly near the lower right corner. Image dimensions 65 × 53.5 cm, frame dimensions 92.5 × 81.5 cm. Detroy’s oeuvre encompasses landscapes of the Creuse as well as subjects from Italy and North Africa.

Condition: II +