PRINTS

Etching

CLAUDE LORRAIN

I bought this little framed etching (approx 10 inches x 8 inches frame) in the late 1960's in London.
I found it in an old church, at the western end of Kensington High Street, which had been turned into an outlet for endless books and prints.

Claude Lorrain (1600-1682) was really Claude GELLEE, born at Chamagne in Lorraine - hence his professional name.

He had a very good understanding of the laws of nature and was able to convey this gift through his paintings, which showed his masterful interpretation of the illumination of the skies.  This print is a good example of my observation.

In the lower left corner is 'A Lorrain Pinx' and the lower right corner is 'BOISSIEUX Scul'
In the upper left the print is signed in monogram 'DB f 1763' and in the top right corner is the numeral '5'.
I think it might have been taken from a book many years ago.

I love this print with it's peasant and his donkey with pannier bags loaded.
The sun setting on the horizon.
The clump of pollarded trees, stone built bridge, stone building - possibly a mill.
A horseman riding into the sunset.
A distant village with a tall church spire.
So much detail, but it is not fussy, due to Claude Lorrain's magical use of light and shade, which Boissieux has preserved so beautifully in his etching 243 years ago.