The four times of day: Morning

Working in the great European landscape tradition established by artists such as Claude Lorrain, Claude-Joseph Vernet became the acknowledged master of French landscape painting from the mid-eighteenth century. Trained in France and Italy, Vernet received significant royal patronage over his lifetime, including having a similar narrative suite commissioned by the brother of the royal mistress, Madame de Pompadour, for the Bibliothèque du Dauphin in the Palace of Versailles.

The narrative theme of depicting the four times of day became popular during the eighteenth century and Vernet was particularly admired for his ability to capture the essence and light of the landscape to evoke a heightened emotional response. Ultimately, the four paintings take the viewer through a journey of emotional states: from the tranquil tones and soft light of Morning and building anticipation for the day ahead, to the threatening and foreboding storm of Midday. The classical figure group and warm glow of the afternoon sun of Evening leave us with a sense of peace and happiness, while the cold and stillness of Night provide a sense of melancholy, reminding us that yet another day has passed.

This petite, yet enchanting, suite of works is painted on silvered copper, a relatively unusual choice for Vernet, who was much more widely known for his works on canvas. The luminosity of the silvered ground lends these paintings a freshness and immediacy, preserving the delicate minutiae of Vernet’s artistic style.

Tansy Curtin, Curator, International Art pre-1980