ALEXANDRE-ANTOINE MAROLLES

(1705?–1753?)

View of the city of Tornio in Finland

Sign; View of the city / Torno / Marolles

Watercolor and gouache on vellum, oval 6 x 7.8 cm.

Original frame in gilded wood, 8 x 10 cm.

Interesting view of the town of Tornio, signed lower center: Vue de la ville / Torno / Marolles.Tornio is a town in northwestern Finland, located at the bottom of the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth of the Tornionjoki , in Lapland.

The 18th century marked its golden age, with the visit of many scientific expeditions en route to the polar regions, the most notable being that of Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertuis in 1736-1737. Our miniature is linked to this period of scientific discoveries.

Illustrator and miniaturist, Marolles was also engineer of the King. Considered one of the best miniature painters of his time, he comes from a lineage of miniaturists that goes back to the 15th century with the illuminator Philippes de Marolles. He executed many portraits, but also very detailed views of castles or ports.

Excellent original state of conservation.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Portalis, Lespinasse, Boucher, Schidlof, Garnier-Pelle, Bouchard.

MUSEUMS:

Musée Condé, Museum Briner and Kern, coll Duval.