Masterfully cityscape in the front of a gothic Cathedral. Probably, it is the street scene from the Rue Merciére, leading to the Strasbourg Cathedral, which is depicted with elements of author's fantasy from Gothic times. This gouache was executed by French landscape, genre painter and orientalist Adrien Dauzats (1804 Bordeaux - 1868 Paris ). He travelled extensively throughout the Middle East and illustrated a number of books for the travel writer, Baron Taylor.

Adrien Dauzats was born at Bordeaux in 1804. His father was a scenery painter at a Bordeaux theatre, and the boy grew up dreaming of becoming a scene painter. He became a pupil of Lacour at the École de Dessin. He was a frequent exhibitor at the Salon of genre subjects and interiors of churches, and was also a lithographier.

After completing his studies, in around 1829, he accompanied, Baron Taylor, a playwright, soldier and archaeologist to the Middle East and visited Egypt, Syria, Mount Sinai, Palestine and other locations, for the purpose of making illustrations for Baron Taylor´s travel books, including: Voyages Pittoresques et Romantiques de l´ancienne France: 1820-63; Voyage Pittoresque en Espagne, en Portugal, et sur la côte d´Afrique, de Tanger à Tetouan: 1826-32; La Syrie, I´Egypte, la Palestine et la Judée: 1835-39, and other books.

Literature: Benezit; Thieme & Becker; Schurr; Hardouin-Fuger, online Wikipedia.

Inscription: Signed lower right : "Dauzats Adr."

Technique: gouache on paper, matted and framed.

Measurements: unframed w 11" x h 16 1/2" (28 x 42 cm); matted and framed w 18 1/4" x h 24 3/4" (46,5 x 63 cm).

Condition: in very good condition.