Scenes of Peru • Lyon Bohemier

Biography:

Lionel was born August 5th in St. Norbert, MB in 1908 and died 2002. He studied under a famous landscape artist, Walker of London, England, and a great portraitist, Maillard of Paris, France. Since 1953 Lionel (Lyon) has worked and exhibited in various department stores and galleries in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico, Japan, China, the U.S.A., Australia and Canada. Travelling developed his natural talent and inspired him in his beloved art. He supported himself with his talent, never with a grant of government. Lionel was of a kind and generous nature, with a great sense of humour, always ready to share his gifts and talents with his fellowman regardless of title, position or wealth. He believed in the humanity of God's creation and loved nature. He was always ready to give a helping hand with whoever he met. Material values were not his main goal in life, he trusted in Gods Providence, which always sustained him. Fluent in French, English and Spanish. He loved to paint the beauty of the locations he visited and capture the culture of its inhabitants. 

This collection features some of the painting he did during the Winters he spent in Peru. 

Lago Titicaca and Night Moonlight Fishing 

Captures a scene from Puno a lakeshore city on Peru's Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable body of water. Here the Uro ( Indigenous peoples pre-dating the Incas) return at dawn after a night of moonlight fishing on their unique reed boats called "balsa" in the calmer waters when the fish are most active. 

Machu Picchu 

It is believed Macchu Picchu, built in the Peruvian Andes mountains, was an estate for an lncan Emperor and has become an icon of the lncan Empire which is often referred as to the "Lost City of the Incas". Agriculture would have been done on the terrace structures. 

Ayacucho 

Huamanga, was renamed Ayacucho in 1825 by Simon Bolivar after a battle that occurred in this area that secured Peruvian independence from the Royalist. Ayacucho, derived from the Quechua words aya "death" or "soul" and k'uchu "corner" honours the souls of the soldiers lost during this battle.

A series of works show the simple housing style, clothing, and the ubiquitous llamas used by the locals of Ayacucho. This city is famous for its 33 churches, one for each year of Jesus' life and known as one of the "City of Churches". Ayachucho is know for elaborate processions during Holy week. This work captures the solemn Good Friday procession.

Volcano Misti- Arequipa, Peru

The soil around this volcano makes it fertile and contributes to one of the most agriculturally productive land in the country.