Marine, four parts of the day – Philip James de Loutherbourg, 1764

Seascapes “Le Matin” (The Morning), “Le Midi” (The Midday), “Le Soir” (The Evening), and “La Nuit” (The Night), four etchings…

Seascapes “Le Matin” (The Morning), “Le Midi” (The Midday), “Le Soir” (The Evening), and “La Nuit” (The Night), four etchings from the series “Les Quatre Heures du Jour” made by Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg in 1764. (Size: each approx. 12 x 19 cm. In one frame: 35 x 102 cm.)

These seascapes are allegories of the four times of day. In the morning, the sun rises, marking the beginning of a new day. In the afternoon, there are high waves, and work must be done on board. In the evening, when the wind has calmed, it becomes tranquil, and a shepherd on the shore brings his animals back from the land. In the night, it is dark, a fire burns, and the sails hang out to dry.

Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg (1740-1812) is particularly known for his maritime art. De Loutherbourg apprenticed under genre and portrait painter Carle van Loo in Paris in 1755 and later under Francesco Casanova, specializing in battle scenes and marines. It is during his time with Casanova that he likely created these four etchings.

De Loutherbourg created dramatic, naturalistic light effects. He was one of the pioneers of Romanticism and had a significant influence on the direction maritime painting would take in the early 19th century. He particularly influenced the young J.M.W. Turner, who greatly admired his work.

Price: Euro 1.350,- (incl. frame)