*This painting is sold but the artist is regularly available in our inventory		Juan Pablo Salinas* Madrid 1871 – 1946 Rome The Final Touch Oil on board 13 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (33.7 x 44.5 cm) Signed: J Pablo Salinas Juan Pablo Salinas spent most of his childhood and youth in Madrid, where he studied at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts.  In 1886 he moved to Rome, joining his brother Augustin Salinas, who was also a painter; Juan Pablo Salinas ended up spending most of his remaining life here. They both became part of the Spanish colony of artists resident in Rome.  Juan attended classes at the highly respected International Circle of Fine Arts and the Chigi Academy.  In 1887, the Salinas brothers sent works to the National Exhibition of Madrid.  Juan Pablo Salinas also exhibited at the Roger Salons in France. Salinas’ works were immensely popular with both collectors and dealers and in 1892 the magazine Illustration Artistica reproduced one of his domestic genre scenes entitled Spring.  Commenting on this painting, a Spanish critic stated that:  “his key characteristic is the poetry he brings to all his paintings including his genre works in depicting our everyday life and landscapes.” Juan Pablo Salinas painted eighteenth century costume pieces within luxurious settings, ornate church interiors and popular genre scenes of Spanish and Italian life.  He was particularly admired for his rich coloring, minute detail and fanciful brushwork.  Throughout his life the artist was an avid collector of furniture and antiques, which he used as props in his paintings.  On many occasions, his two daughters, Leila and Consuelo, acted as his models.  Towards the end of his career, Salinas undertook a series of decorative works for reception rooms in large homes.  He died in Rome in 1946.  Today the work of Salinas is represented in the Galerie Moderne in Madrid.  Our painting The Final Touch, is a prime example of the careful attention Juan Pablo Salinas lavishes on each detail of the room, tapestries, carpet, furniture and costumes.   Salinas has depicted an intimate scene in which a beautiful young woman is having her hair done, perhaps in anticipation of an evening fête.  Across from her we find a young gentleman, observing her with admiration.  Slightly leaning back, resting his chin on his hand, he carefully follows the beautification of the woman.  She serves as the center of attention for the two other subjects in the painting.  Her relaxed position and the ways in which she flirtatiously returns her admirer’s gaze, indicates that she is comfortable with the attention.  The woman’s extraordinary costume and its luxurious fabric as well as rich coloring immediately strike the viewer, as does the fanciful brushwork that Salinas is often appreciated for.  The gentleman, finely dressed in brilliantly colored silk and velvet appears to be a perfect match for our young woman.  Despite the opulent interior and clothing, the composition of figures in the painting gives the setting an air of intimacy.  As our eye moves toward the background of the painting, one sees that even the tapestries of this beautifully adorned room have been rendered with minute detail.