Circle of Claude-Joseph Vernet, French 1714-1789- Capriccios of fisherfolk unloading their catch on the shores of a harbour with shipping, fortified promontories and woodland; oil on canvas, one bears inscription ‘Salle 8 M Coulurier 2 Tableaux’...

Circle of Claude-Joseph Vernet,

French 1714-1789-

Capriccios of fisherfolk unloading their catch on the shores of a harbour with shipping, fortified promontories and woodland;

oil on canvas, one bears inscription ‘Salle 8 M Coulurier 2 Tableaux’ (on the stretcher), each 225 x 335 cm., a pair (2).

Note: The present works follow a similar style and format to Vernet’s pairs of canvases produced during the second half of the 18th century. Vernet was renowned for his Mediterranean harbour scenes, particularly after he was commissioned to produce large scale topographical views of the Ports of France for Louis XV in 1753-65. Vernet completed fifteen of these compositions, all depicting the major military and commercials ports, around the French coast.

The arcadian scenes are very likely Northern European, possibly French, capriccios with fishermen and locals included in the composition. Interestingly the works present an amalgamation of styles and themes: the atmosphere, along with the hints of classically inspired architecture, is predominantly Italian in feel, while the figures are constructed with northern European naturalism in mind – a technique typically adopted by Vernet.