42. Eugène Alexis Girardet (Paris 1853-1907) Figures in a passageway at Bou Saada signed, inscribed and dated 'Eugène Girardet Bou-Saada 1895' (lower right) oil on canvas signed, inscribed and dated 'Eugène Girardet Bou-Saada 1895' (lower left) oil on canvas 61.4 x 46.4cm (24 3/16 x 18 1/4in). From swiss heritage, Eugene Girardet initially learned engraving from his father, before entering the École des Beaux-arts in Paris; he later worked in the atelier of Jean-Léon Gérôme, who encouraged him to visit North Africa. Giraret made frequent visits to Algeria, from 1874 onwards, where he encountered Étienne Dinet. His visits extended to Egypt and Palestine, producing many works depicting the lives of desert nomads. Upon his return to France, Girardet became a teacher at the Académie Julian. He became a founding member of the Société des Peintres Orientalistes, and was a regular exhibitor at the Salon; he also had work on display at the Exposition Universelle in 1900.