Eugène Isabey
Harbor Scene at Night
1864-1874
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Eugène Isabey
Harbor Scene at Night
1864-1874
Physical Qualities
Transparent and opaque watercolor, heightened with gum, on paper, Sheet: 173 × 333 mm. (6 13/16 × 13 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
The George A. Lucas Collection, purchased with funds from the State of Maryland, Laurence and Stella Bendann Fund, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the Baltimore community
Object Number
1996.48.18724
A champion of Romantic seascapes in the 1830s, Louis-Eugène-Gabriel Isabey greatly admired the free watercolor technique of contemporary British artists. This brooding harbor view with bustling steamships is unusual for him, as he preferred to depict quaint, pre-industrial landscapes. He deftly exploits the picturesque possibility of the scene,
evoking its dark, grimy atmosphere with dense layers of gouache and watercolor, augmented by brilliant white highlights.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1996; The Maryland Institute College of Art,
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Watercolors and Drawings from the George A. Lucas Collection', July 24-Oct. 14, 1990.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "A Continuing Example: Prints and Drawings from the George A. Lucas Collection," 4 February - 9 April, 1995.
Sona K. Johnson, BMA, Baltimore, "Barbizon and Impressionist Works from The Baltimore Museum of Art," circulated by Brain Trust to Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, January 11-February 16, 2003; Sakura City Museum of Art, Chiba, February 27-March 30, 2003; Okazaki City Museum, April 5-May 18, 2003; Suntory Museum, Osaka, May 24-July 6, 2003; Miyazaki Prefectural Museum, July 12-August 17, 2003.
Jay Fisher et al, 'The Essence of Line: French Drawings from Ingres to Degas,' The Baltimore Museum of Art, June 19-Sept. 11, 2005; circulated to Birmingham Museum of Art and Tacoma Art Museum through Sept. 2006.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "A Continuing Example: Prints and Drawings from the George A. Lucas Collection," 4 February - 9 April, 1995.
Sona K. Johnson, BMA, Baltimore, "Barbizon and Impressionist Works from The Baltimore Museum of Art," circulated by Brain Trust to Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, January 11-February 16, 2003; Sakura City Museum of Art, Chiba, February 27-March 30, 2003; Okazaki City Museum, April 5-May 18, 2003; Suntory Museum, Osaka, May 24-July 6, 2003; Miyazaki Prefectural Museum, July 12-August 17, 2003.
Jay Fisher et al, 'The Essence of Line: French Drawings from Ingres to Degas,' The Baltimore Museum of Art, June 19-Sept. 11, 2005; circulated to Birmingham Museum of Art and Tacoma Art Museum through Sept. 2006.
Sona K. Johnson et al, "Barbizon and Impressionist Works from The Baltimore Museum of Art," Tokyo: "Barbizon and Impressionist Works from The Baltimore Museum of Art" catalogue committee, 2003, no. 27, p. 53, ill.
Fisher, Jay McKean, et al. The Essence of Line: French drawings from Ingres to Degas. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2005, p. 270-71, ill.
Inscribed: RECTO: BLC, (watercolor), 'EI'.
Markings: Watermark: "Hallines 1865 / Dambricourt Freres" on secondary support.
