Aignan-Thomas Desfriches

The draughtsman and art collector, Aignan-Thomas Desfriches, was active in his native city of Orléans throughout his life. Trained by Natoire, he later gave up his artistic career to concentrate on managing a trading company. However, by way of a pastime he continued to draw landscape views of the banks of the Loire which were very popular among contemporary collectors and fetched high prices. Desfriches made just four etchings, all of which are very rare. The present sheet has been treated in a free and fluid style fully in keeping with the spirit of the Rococo period in France. A certain naiveté in the draughtsmanship notwithstanding, the work radiates considerable atmosphere. The influence of 17th century Dutch artists is readily apparent. A very fine impression, trimmed to the platemark. Inscribed “desfriches d’orléans” in pencil in the top right of the image, probably in the artist’s own hand.