Help identifying Artist

Hey everyone. Got this piece today. Thought it was really well done although very dusty. It’s dated from the 1950s. Maybe Mexican? Can anyone make out the artist?

 

Sorry, can't help with artist but... The scene isn't Mexican.

Debora

 

Maybe it is supposed to be a classical Roman scene, with togas?

 

I thought Classical at first too but... The figure on the left appears to be reading from a sheet of paper.

Debora

 

Yes, could be. I was also thinking North African Berber/Amazigh women.
I can't find a good photo, but they wear a loosely wrapped dress which has the front and back parts fastened together on the shoulders.
In the photos I found online they are wearing modern shirts under the dress, so you don't get an impression of the way it was worn traditionally.

 

Here is an old photo, so you get an idea. The headdress this lady is wearing is a local one, not worn in the entire Berber/Amazigh region. The striped wool is not a general thing either.

 

Kabyle Berber costume, Algeria:

 

1957. Created at the time of the Battle of Algiers.

Debora

 

When women played an important role in the resistance. And many Berber women, especially the Kabyle, sold their jewellery to fund the resistance. A lot of antique Kabyle jewellery we buy here in the West was sold at that time.

Did you ever see the Italian-Algerian movie of the battle? A realistic and powerful movie, it made a great impression on me.

 

'Battle of Algiers?' No, haven't seen film. Will add to my list.

Debora

 

Thank you for this background. What are you thoughts on the piece? Does it look well done? By a professional?

 

Yes, it does. It is good quality, made with ease by a trained hand.

 

Or Julis?

 

I know Suez only as the name of an Egyptian town, the one the Suez Canal is named after.

I think Argentinian Jews carry the names their ancestors had in Europe and the Middle East?

 

Maybe google being google again.

 

I read it as "Jul - 57." (Not saying I'm right.)

Debora

 

Yes I believe you are correct on that. The artist signature is on top.