Lot 291: Achille Peretti (American c. 1857-1923, active N.O. 1884-1923)

Achille Peretti (American c. 1857-1923, active New Orleans 1884-1923), "Pirates Alley" and "Cabildo Alley", pair of oils on canvas, one signed lower right, the other signed upper left, 29 in. x 20 in., framed Note: Achille Peretti was from a family of artists in Piedmont, Italy. He studied art extensively throughout Italy and came to New Orleans in 1884. Peretti received many commissions for frescoes and paintings for buildings and churches including the Pickwick Club, New Orleans Opera Company, St. Patrick's Church and St. Louis Cathedral. Perhaps it was during his time working on St. Louis Cathedral the he decided to paint the alleys by this building, presently known as Pirate's Alley and Cabildo Alley. Peretti lived around the corner at 632 St. Peter Street, so he would have seen these places often. The view down Cabildo Alley may capture part of his residence in the background. These large canvases depict the architecture of these alleys with great chiaroscuro effect of light and shadow, a technique he would have mastered in his studies in Italy. Painted with fine accuracy, Peretti documents the facades of the buildings...