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Lot Essay
After studying under Gabriel-François Doyen in the Académie Royale de Peinture, Jean-Victor Bertin continued his training with Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes, who encouraged him to paint classical Italianate landscapes in the tradition of Poussin. Beginning in 1793, Bertin exhibited regularly at the Paris Salons, often to great acclaim: in 1822 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur. The painter appears to have traveled to Italy between 1806 and 1808, returning with a more romantic and graceful approach to atmosphere and light in his landscapes. Bertin was instrumental in teaching a new generation of French landscapists, including his prize student Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot.
In addition to his portraits and views of precisely identifiable locations in Italy, Greece, and Egypt, Bertin on occasion would paint idealized views of sunlit courtyards, seen through a shaded archway in the foreground. As Peter Sutton has noted (loc. cit.), the present work may be compared to Bertin's View of a sunlit courtyard with a watering trough, seen through an archway, which sold at Sotheby's, London, 2 November 2000, lot 104.
In addition to his portraits and views of precisely identifiable locations in Italy, Greece, and Egypt, Bertin on occasion would paint idealized views of sunlit courtyards, seen through a shaded archway in the foreground. As Peter Sutton has noted (loc. cit.), the present work may be compared to Bertin's View of a sunlit courtyard with a watering trough, seen through an archway, which sold at Sotheby's, London, 2 November 2000, lot 104.