Fanny Paelinck-Horgnies

In the 19th century, art exhibitions were a common phenomenon, originating in Paris and its famous Salon of Painting and Sculpture in which artists could compete to increase their reputation and prestige.

She competed for the Ladys' prize (Le Prix des Dames) who had the following theme "A nymph from Diana's suitewalked into a forest, succumbing to fatigue she fell asleep, his dog watching by his side".

[4] She participated with the painting "A lost nymph from Diana's suite" but the winner of the 1826 edition was Elisa de Gamond.

The result made an impression on the contemporaries, as is shown in an article in the Gazette van Gend(t): "Honneur aux dames, is my motto, therefore I shall break with the order of the program to occupy myself first with the works of a gender, which is all the more suited to the exercise of the fine arts, since the sparrows are of their skill...

Although the three ladies, who have had the courage to present us with Saint Cecilia, are not Raphaels nor even Rubens, they have nevertheless shown us dry beautiful scenes, which proudly adorn our showroom and in which the merits far exceed the deficient.

The cliché of the dark, Italian peasant girl exuding great joie de vivre was thus brought to life.