Bidspirit auction | A JEAN-BAPTISTE CLAUDOT DE NANCY

A JEAN-BAPTISTE CLAUDOT DE NANCY (FRENCH, 1733 – 1805) PASTORAL LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURES AND CATTLE BY A RIVER - A serene pastoral landscape depicting a group of peasants at work beside a riverbank, with cattle and sheep resting in the foreground. A woman bends to assist a child while others gather produce in baskets; beyond them, a ruined bridge and classical buildings rise against distant hills beneath a tranquil, cloud-lit sky. This composition reveals Claudot de Nancy’s characteristic union of Arcadian naturalism and classical harmony, enriched by his delicate rendering of foliage and atmosphere. The gentle tonal transitions, the fluid arrangement of figures, and the golden evening light exemplify the Lorraine school’s refined vision of rural life. The present painting likely forms the companion to the related Landscape with Figures by a River, also attributed to Jean-Baptiste Claudot de Nancy. Both share comparable scale, palette, and compositional balance, suggesting they were conceived as a pendant pair for an aristocratic interior. Comparative Example: A comparable composition, A River Landscape with Drovers at Dusk and Figures Resting by a River (oil on canvas, 59.2 × 121.2 cm), by Jean-Baptiste Claudot de Nancy was sold at Bonhams, London, Old Master Paintings, 8 December 2021, Lot 2. Footnote: Jean-Baptiste Claudot, known as Claudot de Nancy, studied under Joseph Vernet and became one of the foremost painters of the Lorraine landscape tradition. His works—distinguished by poetic light, balanced structure, and gentle narrative detail combine the Rococo’s pastoral charm with the measured clarity of early Neoclassicism. Paintings by Claudot are represented in major public collections, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy and the Musée Lorrain. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions offers in-house shipping. In case we can not accommodate a shipping request, a list of additional shippers will be provided. Please note that this lot is located in Europe and will be shipped to the winner from our European warehouse. Dimensions: 28 x 38 3/4 in., (71.2 x 98.5 cm.) Condition: Good overall condition. Original canvas, mounted on its original stretcher. The paint surface is stable with a fine, age-consistent craquelure. Varnish layer slightly darkened and would benefit from light professional cleaning to recover the luminosity of the sky and foliage. No visible evidence of restoration under normal inspection. The giltwood Rococo frame shows minor wear consistent with age. The painting should be cleaned to bring up the vibrant palette.