Morning by Vernet

Claude-Joseph Vernet
French, 1714-1789

Morning, 1760
Oil on canvas

Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection, 1933.1101


DESCRIPTION:
Claude-Joseph Vernet was one of the most celebrated French landscape and marine painters of the 18th century. He frequently executed his paintings in series, capturing various atmospheric conditions and light effects. Such sets of paintings were often made as interior decorations. Morning is one of a series of four works of similar size that represent times of day. In this harbor scene, Vernet dramatically silhouetted the figures against the silvery backdrop of the early morning sky, enveloping the entire scene in a misty haze.