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Lot Essay
Prosper François Barrigue de Fontainieu was born in Marseille, where he started his career as an officer of the French Royal Navy. His distinguished service during the American Revolutionary War saw him rapidly rise through the ranks. His return to Revolutionary France, however, prompted Barrigue to attempt to leave Marseille for Genoa by way of Nice. He was arrested on 11 November 1792 as an emigrant, banished from France and had his family properties confiscated. He settled in Italy, where he embarked on a career as a painter, training with the Flemish artist Simon Denis (1755-1813), who had settled in Italy in 1786.
Barrigue de Fontainieu returned to Marseille in 1796, already an accomplished artist, and became a member of the Académie in 1801. He exhibited regularly at the Salon du Louvre until 1819 and the present work, along with its companion View of Marseille (Private collection; Christies, Paris, 19 September 2017, lot 43) are the last he exhibited in Paris, as his eyesight began to rapidly deteriorate. Far from bustling Naples, this view of the bay of Pozzuoli shows Barrigue de Fontainieu’s preference for the atmospheric treatment of the landscape, immersed in the crystalline light of early morning.
Barrigue de Fontainieu returned to Marseille in 1796, already an accomplished artist, and became a member of the Académie in 1801. He exhibited regularly at the Salon du Louvre until 1819 and the present work, along with its companion View of Marseille (Private collection; Christies, Paris, 19 September 2017, lot 43) are the last he exhibited in Paris, as his eyesight began to rapidly deteriorate. Far from bustling Naples, this view of the bay of Pozzuoli shows Barrigue de Fontainieu’s preference for the atmospheric treatment of the landscape, immersed in the crystalline light of early morning.