Storm and Avalanche near the Scheidegg in the Valley of Lauterbrunnen
Philip James de Loutherbourg (Strasbourg 1740 – London 1812)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1803 - 1804 (exh at RA)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1070 x 1575 mm
Place of origin
Switzerland
Order this imageCollection
Petworth House and Park, West Sussex (Accredited Museum)
On show at
Petworth House and Park, West Sussex, London and South East, National Trust
NT 486258
Caption
De Loutherbourg was famous for his elaborate set designs. His feel for drama and Romantic spirit is evident in pictures such as this. Nature is portrayed as an overwhelming force. The full title in the Royal Academy exhibition was “An Avalanche or ice fall, in the Alps, near the Scheideck, in the Valley of Lauterbrunnen”. A similar composition, perhaps intended as a pair to this picture, was bought from the artist in 1805 by Sir John Leicester.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Storm and Avalanche near the Scheidegg in the Valley of Lauterbrunnen by Philip James de Loutherbourg (1740-1812), 1804. It depicts a torrent at centre with a mill wheel at left and three figures.
Provenance
In the collection of the 3rd Earl of Egremont (1751-1837) by 1835. By descent, until the death in 1952 of the 3rd Lord Leconfield, who had given Petworth to the National Trust in 1947, and whose nephew and heir, John Wyndham, 6th Lord Leconfield and 1st Lord Egremont (1920-72) arranged for the acceptance of the major portion of the collections at Petworth in lieu of death duties (the first ever such arrangement) in 1956 by H.M.Treasury.
Credit line
Petworth House, The Egremont Collection (acquired in lieu of tax by HM Treasury in 1957 and subsequently transferred to the National Trust)
Makers and roles
Philip James de Loutherbourg (Strasbourg 1740 – London 1812), artist
Exhibition history
Philippe-Jaques de Loutherbourg (1740-1812) , Musee des Beaux-Arts, Strasbourg, 2012 - 2013