Lot 4: Joseph Abeille (French, b. circa 1669-1752 Marseille)

Joseph Abeille (French, b. circa 1669-1752 Marseille)
A turbulent storm
signed 'Abeille'(lower left on the stone block)
oil on canvas
20½ x 36¾ in. (52 x 93.5 cm.)

Private collection, France.

Despite his relative anonymity Joseph Abeille is an important figure in the history of French marine painting. The style of Abeille's work is derived from multiple 17th century French painters including Puget and de Villamage and his painting also reflects Dutch and Genoese influences. Abeille entered the French Royal Navy at age sixteen where he worked as an artisite des Arsenaux in Toulon and Marseilles specializing in marine painting during the reign of Louis XIV. During his life he also achieved distinction as a builder and designer of men-of-war ships for the crown. Abeille's work is stylistically close to Pascal de La Rose another member of the maritime community in southern France, whose paintings are frequently confused with Abeille's. Joseph Abeille's work is notable because it provides an important connection in the evolution of French maritime painting during a period of maritime painting that is relatively unknown.