The Aldudes - Basque Country

A rare and beautiful gouache on cardboard by Amédée Vignola (Toulouse 1862 - Wavignies 1939), depicting a view of the village of Aldudes (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) under snow, at the beginning of the 20th century. Born in Toulouse in 1862, Amédée Vignola began his career as a humorous illustrator for the local press at a very young age. It is quite possible that this gouache dates from this early period. In the 1890s, he decided to settle in Paris and quickly became a prominent figure in the Montmartre art scene. A talented illustrator, Vignola contributed to numerous newspapers and also produced drawings for shadow puppet theater. His most famous work in this field, "The Sphinx," premiered at the Chat Noir cabaret in January 1896. It depicts all civilizations in silhouette, appearing before the Sphinx of Giza since Antiquity. The work was very well received by critics and was even exhibited at the home of Count Lariboisière in honor of Prince Henri d'Orléans. In 1917, he suffered the loss of his son, telegraph operator Lucien Vignola. He died in Wavignies, Oise, in 1939. Dimensions: 47 x 31 cm.