A pair of late18th century marine paintings : "A Medeterranean harbour scene with an elegant company and fishermen" and "An Italianate coastal scene with fishermen on the shore, a classical ruin, and a mountain range beyond". Both paintings came from the properthy of a Iberian noble private collection and were purchased by previous owner on a sale of auctionshouse Christie´s . This paintings were attributed by experts as original works by French marine and landscape painter of 18th century Charles-François Lacroix de Marseille (1700-1782).

Lacroix de Marseille was an 18th Century painter of landscapes and marines, and is the most well known artist of Joseph Vernet´s circle.Lacroix´s first known picture is dated 1743. By 1750 he had settled in Italy and his nickname had become Della Croce. In 1759 he collaborated with Joseph Vernet on an important commission for the Duke of Parma for the castle of Colorno.Lacroix worked in Naples for about ten years and then, in 1776, exhibited in Paris at the Salon du Colisée. Later, in 1780 and 1782, his works were exhibited in the Salon de la Correspondance. He died in Berlin in 1782.Lacroix de Marseille is best known for his sense of colour and composition, by the care brought to every detail and the sophisticated sense of light.

Literature: "General Artist´s Lexicon " by Thieme/Becker, Leipzig, 1999, E.Benezit "Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs",Gründ, 1999.

Inscription: both unsigned, on the back of frames - auction sale label.

Technique: both oil on canvas. Old gilt frames.

Measurements: each unframed w 28" x h 21 1/4 " (71 x 54 cm), framed w 32 1/4" x h 25 5/8 " (82 x 65 cm).

Condition: in good condition, profess.reclining of canvases.