French landscape painting of the forest at Fontainebleau by well-listed Dutch artist, Martinus-Antonius Kuytenbrouwer (the Younger) (1821 - 1897). Gouache and watercolor pigments on thick artist's paper. Signed and dated by the artist on the front, lower right: "Martinus 1863”. Titled: "Dans les Rochers - Fontainebleau" (Among the Rocks - Fontainebleau). Inscribed in ink on the reverse of the painting with the signature and address of the artist, as well as the title and location of the scene. Mounted in an impressed-bevel and ink-lined antique matte and framed in a black, brown, and gilded wood 20th century frame.

Martinus Kuytenbrouwer was the Court Painter of Napoleon III at the time this piece was executed in 1863, and Fontainebleau was Napoleon's main residence and Royal hunting preserve.

SIZE: Painting - 14" x 20" (35.6 cm x 50.8 cm) / Frame - 24" x 30" (61 cm x 76 cm)

NOTES / REFERENCES: Martinus Kuytenbrouwer II. Painter of nature and engraver. Born on November 21, 1821 in Amersfoort, Netherlands. Died on November 12, 1897 in Paris, France. Son of Martinus-Antonius Kuytenbrouwer (the Elder) (1777-1850) a well-known Dutch artist. Martinus-Antonius Kuytenbrouwer II moved to Paris and became the Court Painter to Napoleon III. Museums: The British Museum, London; The Louvre, Paris; The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Bruxelles (“The Deer Hunt”); The World Art Museum, Rotterdam, Holland (“The Rugged Rocks Near Fountainebleu”); Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Holland.

Two small watercolors by Martinus Antonius Kuytenbrouwer II, "FALCONRY NEAR FONTAINEBLEAU" and "A VIEW OF A POND IN FONTAINEBLEAU FOREST" (each 9.75” x 13.5” / 24.6 cm x 34 cm) sold together as a lot at Sotheby's 2011 Amsterdam sale, 'Property from the Estate of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands' for $5,251. This painting is larger and of a higher quality than either of those paintings.

NO RESERVE - INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING NOT OFFERED DUE TO SIZE

Excellent condition. Examination under ultra-violet light reveals no damage or restoration. The colors are bright and rich, without any fading. The paper has not yellowed, and the subtleties of the watercolor washes are quite clear and visible. The matte, although probably from the early 20th century, is in good condition. The frame is simple, classical, and presents the work nicely. Frame with very light wear.