Louis Geraldy

LOUIS GERALDY (France, 19th century).
"Restaurant de la Belle Époque". 1881.
Watercolor on paper.
Signed and dated.
Measurements: 32.5 x 48 cm; 47.5 x 62.5 cm (frame).

This refined painting, signed by Louis Geraldy and dated 1881, faithfully portrays the interior of a sumptuous Parisian restaurant at the height of the Belle Époque, masterfully capturing both its elegance and the atmosphere of expectation that precedes the service.

The composition is organized along a diagonal that guides the eye from the serving tables in the foreground to the large windows in the background. A key element in the construction of the space is the imposing mirror that dominates the left wall. It visually doubles the amplitude of the room, while reflecting the light and fragments of the interior that remain outside our field of vision, a pictorial resource much appreciated at the time to explore modern life.

The sumptuous ceiling stands out, with a coffered ceiling of dark wood and gilded moldings. The soffits are decorated with complex phytomorphic and geometric motifs of neo-Renaissance inspiration. This opulent design continues in the frieze that runs along the top of the walls. Along the wall, a comfortable upholstered running bench provides seating, complemented by the iconic bentwood chairs, probably Thonet style, that populate the room.

Geraldy demonstrates great skill in the handling of light and color. The main light, diaphanous and natural, floods the scene from the windows in the background, cutting out the silhouettes of the columns and creating a sense of connection with the outdoors.