Bernard Louis Borione
French, (b.1865 Paris)

Le Favori de Son Eminence
Oil on canvas, signed
32 inches x 25.5 inches

Bernard Borione was a genre, interior and figurative painter who was born in Paris in 1865. His father was Guillaume-Marie Borione (1816-1887) a french genre and portrait painter and his mother Evariste-Vital Luminais (1822-1896) a historical and genre painter. Under their tuition, he developed his ability for finely painted works with highly detailed figures and interiors. Genre painting had made a comeback in 19th century France and so had the trend for anticlericalism. Borione became part of a band of artists that gently poked fun at the established members of society such as the clergy. He became known for his amusing and skilfully executed works often featuring Cardinals and their sumptuous surroundings. He exhibited at the Salon des Artists and is thought to have been the illustrator for a book by Henri Gheon entitled "Les Propos Interrompus" (published in 1926). His works are as popular today as they were during his lifetime.

Price Band: D £7,500-£10,000