Théobald Michou, Landscape, 1720, Oil on Canvas

Details

Description

Théobald michou (tournai, 1676 – antwerp, 1765)

river landscape with village

oil on canvas (62 x 98 cm. Framed 74 … Read more Théobald michou (tournai, 1676 – antwerp, 1765)

river landscape with village

oil on canvas (62 x 98 cm. Framed 74 x 110 cm.)

we present this vast and harmonious composition, where a characteristic river landscape serves as the backdrop for an exquisite glimpse of popular life, set in a small village, with the city proper in the distance.

the painting, which exhibits characteristics unmistakably linked to flemish culture of the second half of the 17th century, displays iconographic and stylistic similarities, particularly with the successful work of théobald michou (tournai, 1676 – antwerp, 1765). Trained in the studio of landscape painter lucas achtschellinck in brussels, he quickly achieved great recognition, receiving numerous commissions from the french court.

clearly influenced by the humanistic landscapes of jan brueghel the younger, whose pupil he was, the painter enlivens them with numerous characters from peasant life, all immersed in a soft, golden atmosphere.

aside from the figure of a duck hunter along the stream, the rest of the protagonists are depicted in a pleasant family setting, animated by numerous figures busy with their varied daily activities: the mother and grandmother caring for a newborn baby, a young man intent on watching the herd as it waters, the elderly playing and conversing at a table, another woman intent on cooking, with a dog that seems to watch her curiously.

this is a subject the painter approached on several occasions and with varying degrees of variation; for comparison, we can mention:
- landscape with village scene, instituut collectie nederland, amsterdam (archive inv. Rkd 19607) - image 1
- river landscape with figures in a ferry and shepherds, sotheby's, london, 2016-12-07, lot 186 (archive inv. Rkd 274908) - image 2
- coastal landscape, sotheby's, london, 2007-07-05, lot 114 (archive inv. Rkd 197921) - image 3
- landscape with market, herzog anton ulrich museum (archive inv. Rkd 278061) - image 4
- landscape with religious activities near a ferry, sotheby's amsterdam, 2010-11-30, lot 85 (archive inv. Rkd 237039) - image 5
- landscape along a river with farms, cattle, and a cart, sotheby's london, july 3, 1997, lot 117 (archive inv. Rkd 33570) - image 6

additional information:

the work sold comes with a certificate of authenticity and guarantee. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less