Pierre BONIROTE (1811 - 1891), Animated landscape (1876)

Pierre Bonirote, an eclectic artist, deserves particular recognition for his landscape painting, especially for his numerous representations of Italy and Greece, while also aligning with the Orientalist movement. A student at the École des Beaux-Arts of Lyon under the tutelage of Pierre Révoil, he won the Prix de peinture in 1832. During his stay in Rome in 1836, he traveled throughout the Italian peninsula, gathering sketches and impressions. It was during this time that he met Ingres, Flandrin, and, most notably, the Duchess of Plaisance, who in 1840 entrusted him with the foundation and direction of a painting school in Athens, which he ran for three years.

As in Italy, he created numerous studies on-site, often in sepia or watercolor, depicting local landscapes and monuments. He also showed an interest in the archaeological discoveries of the time, incorporating them into charming canvases where he brought to life scenes populated by picturesque and colorful figures. His work thus became a valuable documentary source for understanding classical architecture and its state of preservation during that era.

Bonirote’s technique is characterized by a creamy, skillful handling of ochres and whites, to which he adds rich touches of color, particularly for clothing. With a few warm and luminous brushstrokes, he structures his compositions fluidly. His painting, closely resembling that of Chassériau, is distinguished by its liveliness and refinement. He also painted landscapes of the Lyonnais region, reflecting his attachment to his homeland. Bonirote exhibited his works at the Salon of Lyon from 1833 to 1892 and at the Salon of Paris from 1842 to 1870.