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an image of a painting of people in a boat on a rocky coastan image of a painting of a man and a woman sitting on a rock in the oceana painting of a man and woman in a boat on a rocky coasta picture of a wooden frame with a sign on it
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249 - Claude-Joseph VERNET and workshop (Avignon, 1714 – Paris, 17…
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Estimate €15,000 - €20,000
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Description
Claude-Joseph VERNET and workshop (Avignon, 1714 – Paris, 1789) Rescue scene in stormy weather on a Mediterranean coastline Oil on canvas Signed and dated ‘J. Vernet. f / 1783’ at the bottom centre 48 x 66.5 cm Provenance: Probably the C. Brunner collection, Paris; Anonymous sale; Monte Carlo, Hôtel des ventes de Monte-Carlo, 28 June 2025, lot 10; Acquired at this sale by the current owner; Private collection, Paris Bibliography: Probably Florence Ingersoll-Smouse, Joseph Vernet, Volume 2, p. 41, no. 1160, plate CXXVI, ill. 276 A rocky coastline is battered by a violent storm at sea. A first ship is pitching in the choppy sea, whilst a second, of which only the mast is visible, appears to have sunk after crashing against the rocks. Waves crash onto the shore, leaving behind a cloud of white foam. In the foreground, a woman in a red dress is being rescued by two men. Joseph Vernet built his reputation on these maritime scenes, which transport us amidst extreme and turbulent weather conditions. The ships depicted by Vernet were the result of meticulous observation and, although imaginary, these shipwreck scenes represented a form of reality at a time when losses at sea were commonplace. Marine painting was highly popular in the 18th century, particularly within the British Empire, which possessed a powerful fleet of ships used to secure its colonies. In Italy, where Joseph Vernet spent nearly twenty years, his clientele consisted mainly of English art lovers. Our painting bears a resemblance to the work featured in Florence Ingersoll-Smouse’s catalogue raisonné, apart from the shipwrecked figure depicted on the right-hand side of our canvas. That catalogue also states that the work is undated, whereas our canvas is signed and dated ‘1783’. Whilst the painting’s execution is consistent with Joseph Vernet’s stylistic characteristics, certain elements suggest the involvement of his studio. We would like to thank Ms Emilie Beck for confirming the authenticity of this painting following a visual examination on 16 February 2026. Claude-Joseph VERNET and workshop (Avignon, 1714 – Paris, 1789) 48 x 66.5 cm
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About the sale Old Masters & 19th-century masters
Auction location
Auction time 09/15/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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