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The National Gallery is delighted to announce that it has acquired a pair of paintings by the celebrated French master Claude-Joseph Vernet: 'Calme: A Landscape at Sunset with Fisherman returning with their Catch' and 'Tempête: A Shipwreck in Stormy Seas' (1773). Both paintings are oil on canvas, 114.5 x 163.5 cm.
Vernet was renowned for pairs of paintings showing contrasting states of nature and his works were especially sought-after by British collectors in the 18th century. Most of these have been broken up or sold abroad so that 'Calme' and 'Temp'te' is now the only such pair to be found in a British public collection. The paintings were sold at auction last year for £2.4 million by the family of the original owner, the celebrated Englishman Clive of India, who had bought them from Vernet in 1773.
The paintings are of outstanding aesthetic significance and are the first pair by Vernet to join the National Gallery's collection. They are acknowledged as being two of his greatest marine pictures and are in excellent condition. Their frames may well be those Vernet had made for them in Paris.
'Calme' shows a port bathed in glowing evening sunshine. The mood is one of serenity, yet the painting is full of detail of activity and the effects of light are rendered with breathtaking delicacy. 'Tempête' is a sensational storm and shipwreck scene depicting lashing rain, ships tossed on the sea and survivors scrambling to safety. Like 'Calme', the effects of light create visual drama in the contrast between the darkness of the sea and the sun breaking through the storm clouds.
These important additions to the collection have been acquired with a grant from the American Friends of the National Gallery, London, made possible by a gift from David H. Koch. The paintings will be on view in Room 33 from 9th December until the summer of 2005, when they will be loaned to David Koch for his lifetime. After the term of the loan the paintings will be returned to the Gallery permanently. This method of securing works of art, agreed with the approval of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport allows the Gallery to add major paintings to the collection at a time when its acquisition budget is limited.
Notes to editors:
Claude-Joseph Vernet (1714 - 1789) was born in Avignon, France. He went to Italy in 1734 where he established an international clientele. He returned to France in 1753 at royal command to work on a series of views of the ports of France for Louis XV. He made his Paris Salon debut in 1746 and his paintings were enthusiastically received for the remainder of his career. British collectors and artists shared this enthusiasm and his work influenced the rise of the British school of landscape painting.
For further information or images please contact: Cathy Hinde, National Gallery Press Office on 020 7747 2512 or email:catherine.hinde@ng-london.org.uk
For Public Information please call 020 7747 2885 www.nationalgallery.org.uk
December 2004
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