'The Beach at Menton With the Basilica of Saint Michael' by Cuca Romley, South of France

Description

Signed, lower right, in pencil, 'Cuca Romley' (Spanish, born 1933), titled 'Plage de Menton' lower center and inscribed, lower left, … more Signed, lower right, in pencil, 'Cuca Romley' (Spanish, born 1933), titled 'Plage de Menton' lower center and inscribed, lower left, with number and limitation, '77/175'.

An elegant view of this famous resort town in the South of France with bathers and holiday makers seen on the beach and a view beyond to the famous 17th century, baroque Basilica of St. Michael.

Born in Madrid, Cuca Romley studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Over the course of a long career, she has exhibited internationally with success including at the Salon Nacional de Dibujos de Alta Costura, Madrid, (1957-60), the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris (1960), the New York Institute of Technology and the Galerie Charbonel in Monte Carlo among others. Ms. Romley has been the recipient of numerous prizes, medals and juried awards including the coveted First Prize at the Salon de L’Union des Femmes Peintres in Paris (1971),

Cuca Romley brings the patience and craft of the old masters to her chosen medium. Each plate is etched in exquisite detail with a thoroughness reminiscent of the early days of engraving. She first creates her intricate design on the etching ground that covers the copper plate. After the acid has etched the lines into the copper plate, she engraves further detail into the plate with a burin until she is satisfied with the image. For each individual print, a master printer must ink the plate and thoroughly wipe the surface clean. The plate is then placed on the bed of the press and the dampened, 100% cotton Arches paper covers the plate as it passed through the press. After the ink has dried, the etching is ready for the artist's hand coloring process. More than 30 colors may be applied to one of Ms. Romley's images. Each print may take up to 6 hours to hand-color with the carefully chosen, transparent and translucent washes that complement the artist's delicacy of line. Once completed to the artist's satisfaction, each etching of the limited edition is then signed and numbered by the artist. less