Claude-Joseph Vernet

Probablement, Vente anonyme, Maîtres Lair-Dubreuil et Giard, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 16 mai 1922, n°20 (comme daté 1788) (sic) ;
Collection Jean Savin, Paris avant 1950;
Galerie Heim, Paris;
Acquis par un membre de la famille de l'actuel propriétaire à la galerie en 1950.

Probablement, F. Ingersoll-Smouse, Joseph Vernet, peintre de Marine 1714 – 1789, Paris, 1926, Vol. 2, p.43, n° 1179;
Probablement, G. Martin-Méry & C. Pétry-Parisot, La Vie en France autour de 1789: images et représentation, 1785-1795, Exposition au musée des Beaux Arts de Nancy, Nancy, 1989, cité p.184

The painting is in overall good condition. It has been relined, a bit too strongly, about 30-40 years ago. This restoration caused some cracks visible in the sky. It is under a very dirty uniform varnish. The painting has been cleaned, probably at the same time as the relining, and because of this restoration it is slightly worn, notably in the brown rocks. Under UV light: Under a green uniform varnish. We can notice some very thin retouching in the sky, some small dots of restoration in the girl, some tiny dots in the branch of the tree where the fisherman is seated and also some tiny dots in the hair of the fisherman, ahead his head and around his right arm. All these retouching are minor and doesn't interfere in the understanding of the picture.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Daté de 1768, notre tableau est peint six ans après l’installation définitive de Joseph Vernet à Paris. Le sujet, un couple de pêcheurs dans un paysage italianisant, est une réminiscence du séjour italien de l’artiste. En effet, après 1762, la peinture de Vernet est essentiellement basée sur ses souvenirs. On lui reproche alors d’avoir perdu le contact avec la nature, ce qui n’enlève toutefois rien à la qualité de ses peintures, toujours excellente. Son succès auprès des collectionneurs demeure intact et ce jusqu’à sa mort en 1789.

Le type de composition que Vernet adopte dans notre tableau se retrouve plus fréquemment dans ses dessins. Elle se retrouve cependant dans d’autres tableaux de l’artiste, notamment Le pêcheur à la ligne (1788) conservé au musée des Beaux-arts de Quimper.