Publicity for the fabric of Vidal y hermanos. Alcoy

LUÍS TÉLLEZ GIRÓN Y BELLOCH (1810-1868)

Spain, 19th century.

Pen and ink and watercolour on vellum paper.

Made with pen and wash with very defined shapes, it must be the preparatory drawing for the print of the advertisement for the cigarette paper factory, Vidal y hermano de Alcoy. The composition focuses on the name of the company and the image of the building on a landscape background, which is arranged on a hanging, presided over by the winged head of Hermes, or Mercury who, according to Greek and Roman mythology respectively, was the god of commerce and, therefore, its protector. The name ALCOY refers to the town in Alicante where the factory was located. The whole is bordered by a border of scrolls. At the bottom there is a striped space, also surrounded by a border with different decoration. It is possible that the person in charge of transferring this drawing to print was also the engraver and lithographer from Alcoy Antonio Pascual y Abad.