This romantical seascape with ships in stormy sea at sunset was executed in 1827 by most prominent French marine painter of 19th century Baron Jean Antoine Theodore Gudin (1802 Paris - 1880 Boulogne sur Seine). It was executed by Gudin in the early years, when he was 25 years old. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts under Girodet-Trioson from 1817, but soon became one of the representatives of the romantical movement and entered the circle of such artists as Gericault and Delacroix. By his first exhibiton in Salon 1822 his marine paintings brought him the glory. In 1824 he recieved the Gold Medal and 1828 Knight Cross of the Honor Legion. In 1838/1848 he created many marine works, 63 of them situated in Museum of Versailles. About 60 years long (1822-1880) he exhibited his works in Salon and abroad at the Exhibitions of the Royal Academy and the British Institute in London. In 1841 the artist worked in Warsaw and in 1841-1845 in St.Petersburg on commission of Tsar Nicholas I. He made 12 large paintings for the Tsar with views of the main Russian ports.

Literature: E. Benezit " Dictionary of painters, sculptors, decorators and etchers"(in French), Paris, 1999; Thieme/Becker, Leipzig,1999, in on-lne: wikipedia in Russian and English.

Inscription: signed and dated 1827, lower left.

Technique: oil on canvas. Original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 29" x h 19 1/3" (73,5 x 49 cm), framed w 36 5/8" x 27 1/8" (93 x 69 cm).

Condition: in very good cleaned condition, profess. relining of canvas.