Lionel Royer (1852-1926) Pastel on paper laid down on canvas, signed in pencil .

Lot 235 - Lionel Royer (1852-1926) Pastel on paper laid down on canvas, signed in pencil This panoramic pastel study by Lionel Royer depicts a lively cabaret scene, typical of the festive and social atmosphere of the Belle Époque. Elegant women in long dresses, lit by lanterns, move about in a night-time party setting, where the hushed atmosphere contrasts with the liveliness of the postures and exchanges. The work, mounted on canvas, has a stretched format, clearly designed for a decorative fresco above a set of three doors. Although the building for which this study was conceived remains unknown, the care taken with the composition suggests a large-scale public or private commission (theatre, reception room, café-concert, etc.). Signed in pastel pencil, this study demonstrates Lionel Royer's technical mastery of pastel, a medium he uses here with finesse to render the textures, play of light and graceful movements of the female figures. Note that a spot of dampness is visible on the right-hand side of the work, but this does not affect the overall legibility of the scene. This rare piece highlights a lesser-known aspect of Royer's work, more famous for his large-scale historical compositions, and illustrates his talent as a decorator in a more intimate, social setting.