Eugene Gabriel Louis Isabey (French, 1803-1886), Harbor Scene with Figures

Oil on panel, unsigned, presented in a period, likely original, giltwood frame with nameplate affixed at lower center.

Panel 12 1/2 x 17 3/4 in.; Frame dimensions 21 1/2 x 27 in.

From the Collection of a Southern Gentleman, Atlanta, Georgia

Eugène Isabey was a French Romantic painter celebrated for his dramatic maritime scenes and historical compositions. Born in Paris to the artist Jean-Baptiste Isabey, Eugène was initially interested in a naval career but was guided into art by his father. He trained under his father and studied Old Masters at the Louvre.

He debuted at the Salon in 1824 and gained acclaim for his seascapes. A trip to England in 1825 influenced his watercolor technique, adopting lighter tones inspired by Turner and British artists. His paintings often depicted shipwrecks, stormy seas, and historical events with expressive brushwork.

Isabey influenced plein air painting and mentored artists like Eugène Boudin and Johan Barthold Jongkind, helping pave the way for Impressionism. He served as a court painter for King Louis-Philippe I and was a central figure in 19th-century French art. His works are held in numerous museums worldwide inlcuding the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Art Institute of Chicago; and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Minor wear to the edge of the board; separations at the corners of the frame.