French School, Vue prés de Sassanage, 1821

A ink and ink wash landscape of the Sassenage (near Grenoble), France. This dramatic landscape became popular amongst artists of the early Romantic movement, with its dramatic cliffs, rivers and caves, contrasting with calmer, marshier rivers and marshes.

It is immediately evident that this is a brilliantly exectuted drawing by a skilled artist. The movement of poplar trees and depiction of foliage contrasts marvelously with the drama and light of the vast background landscape.

Although unsigned, this work is clearly dated 'Sassenage le 4 - 8bre 1821' (4th October 1821). The handwriting, ink and wash technique, date format and style is identical to that of John-Claude Nattes (1765-1839). The French-British artist is recorderd to be actively sketching in that area at this exact period, and many similar drawings are now in public collections.

The drawing features Nattes' highly distinctive 'scribble' technique used to depict foliage, as well as his complex ink wash to capture depth and light.

Nattes' works are now housed in the Victoria & Albert Museum, The British Museum, the Royal Collection in Windsor Castle, as well as in France, in particular the Bibliotheque Municipale de Grenoble.  He is considered as one of the first watercolour artists in the UK. Fascinatingly, in 1784, Nattes was employed by the Reverend George Austen for drawing lessons for his two daughters: Jane (9) and Cassandra (11.

Ink and wash on paper. Newly mounted in original frame with acid-free mount and UV protective glass. Dated bottom left as shown.

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