Lot: 78

Paulus Constantin La Fargue (1729/32 - 1782)
View of the Mauritshuis in The Hague

Watercolor and gouache on paper. 34 x 53 cm. Summer view of the Mauritshuis under a wide blue sky with strollers among the trees. Signed in ink lower right: PC La Fargue del. Additionally inscribed in ink in another hand on the backing paper lower right: PC La Fargue. Mounted on paper and framed under glass, and described as such.
The Hague painter Paulus Constantijn la Fargue is considered the most talented and prolific artist among the members of the La Fargue family of painters. His three brothers and sister also pursued artistic careers. It is unknown with whom Paulus Constantijn apprenticed. He was likely largely self-taught, drawing inspiration from the works of Old Masters. Artistically, he drew on the tradition of Dutch Golden Age painting, particularly the work of Jan van der Heyden. Through the art dealer Gerard Hoet, he received enough commissions from 1757 onward to support himself as an independent artist. His topographically accurate vedute of The Hague, Leiden, Amsterdam, and other Dutch cities are valuable topographical documents due to their precision, and moreover, they are evocative paintings with rich figures that illustrate the life and activities of the time. In addition to paintings, he also produced numerous drawings and etchings.
Provenance:
Private collection, Cologne, in the family since the 19th century.

Reserve price: 2,000 €