Life_and_work Claude_Joseph_Vernet

bust of claude-joseph vernet, 1783 ce. paris, france. louis-simon boizot. victoria , albert museum, london

vernet born in avignon. when fourteen years of age aided father, antoine vernet (1689–1753), skilled decorative painter, in important parts of work. panels of sedan chairs, however, not satisfy ambition, , vernet started rome. sight of whales @ marseilles , voyage thence civitavecchia (papal states main port on tyrrhenian sea) made deep impression on him, , after arrival entered studio of whale painter, bernardino fergioni.

in 1734, vernet left rome study landscape designers , maritime painters, claude gellee, find styles , subjects of vernet s paintings.

the shipwreck (1772), national gallery of art, washington d.c

slowly vernet attracted notice in artistic milieu of rome. conventionality in design, proper day, allied results of constant , honest observation of natural effects of atmosphere, rendered unusual pictorial art. perhaps no painter of landscapes or sea-pieces has ever made human figure part of scene depicted or important factor in design. in respect heavily influenced giovanni paolo panini, whom met , worked in rome. vernet s work draws on natural themes, in way neither sentimental or emotive. overall effect of style wholly decorative. others may know better , said, pride, how paint sky, earth, ocean; no 1 knows better how paint picture . style remained relatively static throughout life. works attentiveness atmospheric effects combined sense of harmony reminiscent of claude lorrain.

for twenty years vernet lived in rome, producing views of seaports, storms, calms, moonlights, , large whales, becoming popular english aristocrats, many of whom on grand tour. in 1745 married englishwoman whom met in city. in 1753 recalled paris: there, royal command, executed series of seaports of france (now in louvre , musée national de la marine) best known. port of rochefort (1763, musée national de la marine) particularly notable; in piece vernet able achieve, according art historian michael levey, 1 of crystalline , atmospherically sensitive skies . vernet has attempted bring foreground of work life through painting wide array of figures engaging in variety of activities, endeavouring convey sense of commotion , drama of france s seaports.

in 1757, painted series of 4 paintings titled 4 times of day depicting, not surprisingly, 4 times of day. throughout life vernet returned italian themes, shown through 1 of later works – beached whale (national gallery). on return rome became member of academy, had contributed exhibitions of 1746 , following years, , continued exhibit, rare exceptions, down date of death, took place in lodgings in louvre on 3 december 1789.

amongst numerous engravers of works may specially cited le bas, cochin, basan, duret, flipart , le veau in france, , in england vivares.