Young Collectors


Compigné painting representing a riverside landscape

18 000 
X

    • Description
    • Histoire

    France, second half of the xviiith century

    Attributed to Thomas Compigné

    Pewter, gold leaf and silver

    Gouache, colored varnishes

     

    Height: 13,5 cm – 5 1⁄2 inches

    Width: 17,5 cm – 7 inches

     

    This painting in Compigné represents a riverside landscape, animated with characters sailing on the water. The whole is decorated with a frame ornamented with gold borders. Of modest size and rectangular shape, it is made in stamped pewter leaf. The latter is enhanced with silver, gold leaf and gouache, which intense colors contrast with the pewter. This skillful mixture of materials produces an effect of perfect symbiosis between the painting and the engraving. In the foreground, the scene represents the sinuous bank of a river, where a first character, standing from behind, observes the watercourse, which stretches to the background. The horizontal lines in silver tones used to represent the river give the impression of flat and peaceful water. Two men are busy docking their boat. A similar boat is tipped over on its side, between the branches of the land. A hamlet can be seen further down the shore, in the distance. Two sailboats are passing by, as well as a fisherman. On the opposite bank, another hamlet, similar to the first, appears through the greenery. The latter is sparse but enhanced by bright colors. The intense green of the foliage is merging with lighter shades, bringing a delicate relief and shimmer to the composition. The orange-pink hues of the trees surrounding the second hamlet harmonize perfectly with the colors of the calm end-of-the-day sky, which harmoniously fades from pink to the deep gray of the few clouds and birds flying over the composition.

    Bibliography

    • Plaisir de France, « Les Compignés et leurs créateurs, ces délicats chefs‑d’œuvre de la tabletterie au XVIIIe siècle », n° 427, March 1975.
      Compigné, peintre et tabletier du Roy, exhibition catalogue, Grasse, Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard, June-July 1991.