A couple visiting a grotto
Oil on canvas : 75,8 X 97,4 cm
Unsigned
Frame : 92,1 X 115,1 cm
Natural caves holding stalactites and stalagmites are a very rare theme in European art. Centuries of dripping water have created these marvels. Between the 16th and the late 19th century many fake, man-made grottoes have been incorporated in palace gardens and parks. Probably the oldest painting showing them dates from 1773.
The setting of our painting is absolutely magical. The fairylike light illuminates the strange forms of the stalactites and the stalagmites.
All my paintings stand fully documented on my website:
https://www.jeanmoust.com/artists/eccentricities-travel-and-archaeology/anonymous-19th-century-french-painter-grotto/a-couple-visiting-a -grotto-1243873