Joseph-François Foulquier

Joseph-François Foulquier was a dilettante painter, etcher and art collector who was trained in Paris by Philipp Jakob Loutherbourg and the Swedish miniaturist Hall. He initially worked as a parliamentary councillor in Toulouse, became a member of the Academy in Paris and was involved in the organisation of the Salon exhibition in 1774/75. In 1781 he moved to the French Antilles, working as an artistic director first on Guadeloupe and later on Martinique, where he died in 1789. At present there are twenty-six etchings known to be by Foulquier, including several after preliminary drawings by Loutherbourg. The motif of this little landscape etching contrasts with many other prints made by the artist, most of which are character heads and caricature figures. The lush vegetation of bushes, deciduous trees and dense reeds has been sketched swiftly and accurately with thick, occasionally vigorous lines and, like the silhouettes of the wanderers, is reflected in the surface of the water. This rare print has been signed in the lower margin, although the signature is barely visible. A very fine, strong and contrasting impression with thread margins around the framing line. Minor traces of handling, otherwise in very good condition.