16th century French school - Lot 1

16th century French school Vulcan at his forge Canvas (mounted in the 19th century on mahogany) 50 x 34 cm (Crackling and faience) With its mythological subject, ancient architecture, Lovers and the fire of his forge lighting up the night, this painting appears to be part of a series of works from the French Renaissance that includes an Adoration of the Shepherds from the Ecouen chapel (Louvre), as well as engravings bearing the monogram JG. For a long time, this collection was attributed to the Parisian bookseller Jean de Gourmont. This identification has since been rejected in favor of a Lyon silversmith, Jacques Gauvain, mentioned between 1513 and 1545. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the author of the engravings was also the artist of the painting in the Louvre, now attributed to the "school of Jacques Gauvain". Our composition can also be compared to the architectures published in 1551 by Jacques Androuet du Cerceau in his Vues d'optique. While it's likely that the artist of our Vulcan à sa forge was familiar with these engraved architectures, he is nonetheless a true painter, through his skillful chromaticism, which subtly shifts from ochres to greys, and through the subtle focus of light that enhances the central scene.