JOHAN BARTHOLD JONGKIND (LATTROP 1819-1891 SAINT-ANDRÉ)

Although Jongkind was a very prolific watercolourist, and often drew on large sketchbook sheets, the size of this freshly preserved landscape makes it an exception in the artist’s œuvre. It represents the château of Pupetière in the Dauphiné region, North of Grenoble, at the time owned by the Marquis de Virieu. The photographer Jules Fesser (1851-1925), Jongkind's friend and the son of his companion Joséphine Fesser, worked as a cook at the castle. In the summer months Jongkind never missed an opportunity to stay at the château and explore the surrounding countryside, sketchbook in hand. Another view of Pupetière is in the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d’Archéologie de Besançon (inv. D. 4380), while a smaller view was recently at Sotheby’s sale in Paris, 28 March 2019, lot 253.