The central panel is after Fragonard, a subject that he repeated with many variations. The piece is typical of the Aubusson work, delicate in color with the decorative effect depending largely on the flowery encadrement.
Jean Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806) studied under Boucher, Greuze, and Chardin, and is usually considered the successor of Boucher. In 1752 he was given Grand Prize for Painting. He was a favorite painter of Madame Du Barry, for whom he did a great deal of work.
70 AUBUSSON, LATE XVIII CENTURY
Wool and Silk.
H. 8 ft. 10 in.
W. 6 ft. 6 in.
Formerly in the Vaffrin Collection, Bordeaux.
Lent by Wildenstein & Company.
AU BORD DU MER: In an oval panel are peasants landing from a rowboat. In the harbor under a cliff is a sailing vessel. In an encadrement of red and blue flowers and ribbons on a gray ground.
The central panel is after Vernet, who was particularly famous for his port scenes. The encadrement is unusually rich and delicate.
Claude-Joseph Vernet (1714-1789) first studied under his father as a decorative painter of wall and furniture panels. Afterward he studied under Bernardino Fergiori in Rome to be a marine painter. In 1735 he was received by the Academy. His most famous paintings, of the seaports of France, are in the Louvre.
71 AUBUSSON, XVIII CENTURY
Wool.
H. 9 ft.
W. 5 ft.
Lent by A. J. Halow.