Gallery
René Dubois (1737-1799)
Chest of Drawers - Seascape with a Harbour Scene, c.1770-1775
This semi-circular chest of drawers, known in French as a "demi-lune" (half moon) is painted with a romantic harbour scene, framed with restrained gilt-bronze mounts. In the second half of the 18th-century, painted furniture became popular as an alternative to inlaid marquetry panels or imported Chinese lacquer.
Dubois clearly designed the object around the landscape, since no concession in terms of composition has been made to the need to divide the central panel into two drawers. The panel must have been painted as one and simply cut as appropriate to fit the drawer fronts. Nor does the subject bear any relation to the function of the object. It is completely decorative.
The green and blue tones of the painting are offset by the green-painted frame of the chest of drawers. The composition, by an unknown artist, is based on a popular series of paintings of port and harbour scenes by the French artist Joseph Vernet (1714-1789). The central focal point is the lighthouse on the harbour wall, framed by a rocky outcrop and a tree in the foreground, which lead the eye towards the distant view. The scene is animated by a group of fisherfolk also in the foreground. The composition continues into the two side panels, despite being interrupted by the frame of the chest.
Activities, discussions and questions
» The painting for this chest of drawers was designed specifically for a curved surface. On card, try drawing a landscape and then bending the picture into a semi-circle. What effect does this have on the picture? Is it possible to adapt the design so that the image is correct when the card is curved?.
René Dubois (1737-1799)
Chest of Drawers - Seascape with a Harbour Scene, c.1770-1775
Material: Oak, pine, marble, gilt-bronze and oil on panel
Dimensions: 87.2 cm x 74.3 cm x 37.2 cm
Accession No: 2479
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