Pair of oil paintings on canvas “Landscapes”, 18th century French School – France
Extraordinary pair of paintings made in oil on canvas, belonging to the French School of the 18th century. They present a delicate landscape where the human figure is reduced to the essential, so as not to assume prominence. Both show the same country theme, differing in the action; the first, “Landscape with hunters”, the second, “Fisherman on the river bank”. Carved and gilded wooden frame, whose upper part is mixtilinear. It is because they were made for the space between a door and the roof of the house. They come from the collection of General L'Hotte, in Lunéville (1825-1904).
It is a landscape painting from the 18th century French School, which is characterized by a sensitivity towards this genre assimilated from Italy, specifically Venice, through the influence of Poussen, Gaspard Dughet or Claudio de Lorraine. The scene takes place in a clearing in a forest, right on the bank of a river. There is a clear separation between the foreground and the background, which enhances the scenographic character. Very studied composition, a contrast can be seen between the severe arrangement of the rocky and earthy volumes, and the treatment of the forest masses. Small static characters appear even though they are performing an action. Painting with romantic overtones, nature is being valued as a theme in itself. It is not yet the independent landscape of Romanticism, since it is associated with a theme. The two scenes take place at the end of the afternoon, as evidenced by the shadows and especially the dramatic light. Golden light that shines on the objects represented and even on the bodies of water, such as the river, creating a dreamlike effect, which invites the viewer to meditate. Clearly poetic content, which goes beyond the simple representation of nature to represent it as a reflection of the author's melancholic feelings.
One of the most radical aspects of romantic painting was the attempt to replace large canvases of historical or religious themes with landscapes. The aim was for the pure landscape, almost without figures or completely devoid of them, to achieve the heroic meaning of history painting. These painters were based on the idea that human sentiment and nature should be complementary, one reflected in the other. In other words, the landscape had to arouse emotions and transmit ideas. Thus, landscapers sought to express their feelings through the landscape instead of imitating it. Indeed, the artist's use of light here conveys a misty, murky and dreamlike atmosphere.
General Alexis L'Hotte
One of the most important figures of French horsemanship is General Alexis L'Hotte (1825-1904), the most orthodox promoter of classical French equestrianism. He was born in Lunéville, into a family of cavalry officers. After the Saint-Cyr Militaire Specialized School, he served his entire career in militia units. He had two important teachers, Viscount d'Aure and Francois Baucher.
In the house 42 Rue León Gambetta, in Lunéville, there is a sign indicating that it was the general's home, where he spent fourteen years of retirement and died in 1904. There he received many scudists from all over Europe who sought his advice, he had a patio where he taught with his horses.
Technique on support: Oil on canvas
Title of the work: “Landscape with hunters”;” “Fishermen on the river bank”
School: French School
Genre: Landscape
Period: 18th century
Country of origin: France
Provenance: Collection of General L'Hotte (1825-1904), Lunéville
Good condition based on age and use.
Overall dimensions: 79 x 91 x 3 cm.
Dimensions without frame: 68 x 81 cm.,
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