Oil on canvas
France, mid-19th century
Circle of Georges Michel (1763-1843) – French landscape painter
Dimensions: 65.5 x 41 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Private collection, Germany
Impressive rendering of a thunderstorm atmosphere

The present landscape was painted by an artist probably active in the circle of Georges Michel. The rural setting of the landscape is deeply related to works by the master and depicts a clerical procession of people in the center, crossing the fields towards the village in the distance. The scenery captivates through its dramatic light, which also refers to the artistic tradition of the French landscape painter. Georges Michel is considered one of the pioneers of the Barbizon School and was a great source of inspiration to many artists.

The painting is in good condition considering its age. The paint surface shows additional slightly discolored areas of retouching under the naked eye. Inspection under UV light reveals partial areas of retouching mainly affecting the sky. The gilt frame shows traces of wear with partial material losses. The framed work measures 60 x 84 cm and the size of the stretcher is 65.5 x 41 cm.

Georges Michel (1763-1843)

The Parisian painter Georges Michel received his artistic training under Nicolas-Antoine Taunay (1755-1833). In his oeuvre he primarily painted landscapes which he found during his tours through the Parisian countryside. The windmills around the Montmartre area were, for instance, typical subjects of his artistic output; occasionally he was therefore also called the ‘Ruisdael of Montmartre’. Research on Georges Michel only started at the beginning of the 20th century. He is regarded as one of the important precursors of the Barbizon School and his works are represented in many international museums.

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