“La lanterna of the harbour of Genova”, DURAND-BRAGER Jean-Baptiste

Animated view of the port of Genoa with the lighthouse “La Lanterna” in the centre. A large three-masted sailing ship enters the harbour. Superb effect in the water under a bright sky which at times has yellow reflections. Signed lower right. Oil on panel with gilded original frame.

Size: H 47cm x W 79 cm – H 81 cm x W 113  cm

French School, circa 1870.

Liter: Painter of seascapes and military subjects, he entered Eugene Isabey’s atelier, after several trips through Europe, the African coast, Senegal and Asia. In 1840, he participated to the expedition to bring Napoleon’s ashes back to France. He published an in-folio with texts and officials pieces regarding the trip. He came back in France in 1843 where he painted ‘The battle between the French and the British marine forces’. The year after, he was asked by the French government to execute two great paintings: ‘The bombing of Mogador’ and ‘ The take-over of the island of Mogador’. After the war of Sebastopol, he was part of the expedition of Kluburn. In 1844, he was honored with the cross of the ‘Legion d’Honneur’ and became an officer of the army in 1865. He painted “the battle of Lisa” for the King of Austria in 1886. In 1869, he executed for Versailles, a painting called “ the second battle between the Japanese army and the allies”. Later on, he even worked for the Russian Emperor representing the ‘The Combat of Singapore’. Works in the following museums: Versailles, marine (Paris), Malmaison, Chateau d’Eu, Palais de l’Elysée, Bordeaux, Laval, Nantes, Torigni-sur-Vire and Victoria & Albert.