Anna Palm de Rosa - Coach and horses at full speed, Boulogne-sur-Seine

Anna Palm de Rosa (1859-1924)

Coach and horses at full speed, Boulogne-sur-Seine

watercolor on paper
late 1800s
signed APalm
unframed c. 10 x 16 cm
framed 21.5 x 27.5 cm

Provenance: 
A French private collection.

Essay:
This small watercolor painting by Anna Palm de Rosa, titled "Coach and horses at full speed, Boulogne-sur-Seine," is a vibrant and dynamic piece that captures a moment of speed and elegance from the past. The scene is set in what was known then as Boulogne-sur-Seine, now Boulogne-Billancourt, prior to its name change in 1926. 

The artwork is only like a postcard and depicts a horse-drawn carriage in full gallop, stirring up a cloud of dust along the gravel path. This sense of motion is further emphasized by one of the ladies on the carriage, who is seen clutching her hat, a detail that adds a personal touch to the scene and underscores the speed at which they are traveling. The artist's ability to capture such a fleeting moment, with the horses' hooves barely touching the ground and the dust cloud swirling around, is a testament to her skill and the liveliness of her compositions.

Anna Sofia Palm de Rosa (1859–1924) was a celebrated Swedish artist known for her watercolors, particularly of marine scenes, Stockholm vistas, and moments of everyday life. Educated by her father, Gustaf Wilhelm Palm, and other prominent artists of the time, Palm de Rosa's artistry was nurtured in a milieu rich with cultural and artistic influences. Her works, characterized by their meticulous detail and vibrant colors, earned her widespread acclaim in Sweden during the 1890s.

Despite her success, Palm de Rosa left Sweden in 1895, eventually settling in Italy after her marriage to Infantry Lieutenant Alfredo de Rosa in 1901. It was during this period that she expanded her repertoire to include scenes from Italian life and continued to produce landscapes of Stockholm, often based on photographs sent from Sweden. The "Coach and horses at full speed, Boulogne-sur-Seine" predates her marriage, as indicated by the absence of 'de Rosa' in her signature, placing its creation in the late 19th century, a time when her artistic output was prolific and highly sought after.

This piece not only offers a glimpse into the bustling life of late 19th-century France but also showcases Palm de Rosa's exceptional talent in capturing the essence of a moment. Its historical and artistic value is further enhanced by the artist's own fascinating life story, from her early years in Stockholm's artistic circles to her final days in Italy.