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1760s
Painting
oil on canvas
83.0 x 126.4cm; 105.5 x 148.5 x 11.5cm frame
Purchased with funds provided by the Art Gallery Society of New South Wales 2002
11.2002
Further information
De Loutherbourg was born in Strasbourg, but moved with his family to Paris in 1755. He exhibited at the Paris salon from 1762. His works were mainly either landscapes inspired by Dutch 17th-century prototypes or romanticised shipwrecks which continue the tradition of Claude-Joseph Vernet (1714-1789). He also painted pictures of bandits recalling the style of Salvator Rosa.
He moved to London in November 1771 where he worked as a stage designer at the Drury Lane theatre for David Garrick and subsequently for Richard Brinsley Sheridan. He is recognised as the most inventive and influential stage designer active Europe during the eighteenth century.
He continued to paint landscapes in England, his work tending to become more topographical. He subsequently turned to Biblical subjects where his sense of the dramatic find expression in scenes of terrfiying chaos, works which 'made a profound impression on J.M.W. Turner and John Martin'.
Provenance
Agnew's, London (England, estab. 1817), pre 26 Feb 2002, London/England, Purchased by the AGNSW from Agnew's 2002
Private Collection, post 19 Feb 1913, Germany, dates unknown
Helbing (Germany), 19 Feb 1913, Munich/Germany, lot 95
Bibliography
Periodical; Look; Jill Sykes (Australia); Dec 2003-Jan 2004, 25 (colour illus.), 'Acquisitive minds' by Connell Nisbet, pg. 23-27
Periodical; Look: 1953-2003 celebrating 50 years; Jill Sykes (Australia); May 2003, 47, 'Transformation: Society's gifts of enriching art from Europe help collection turnaround' by Richard Beresford', pg.45-7
Annual report; Art Gallery of New South Wales Annual Report 2002; Art Gallery of New South Wales (Australia, estab. 1874); 2002, 11, 12 (colour illus.), 24, 'Year in review', pg. 8-25.
Periodical; Look; Jill Sykes (Australia); Jun 2002, 16 (colour illus.), 'Major European work: Art Gallery Society's gift by an artist of genius' by Richard Beresford
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