Near Dieppe, plate one from Six Marines

Art Historical Context

**Near Dieppe, from *Six Marines*** Eugène Isabey, a prominent French Romantic artist of the 19th century, captured the dramatic beauty of the sea in this evocative lithograph from 1833. As plate one from his series *Six Marines*, it depicts a coastal scene near Dieppe, a bustling port town in Normandy known for its rugged cliffs and lively maritime activity. Isabey's passion for marine subjects stemmed from his own seafaring experiences, blending keen observation with the Romantic emphasis on nature's sublime power—think turbulent waves and windswept horizons that evoke both peril and wonder. Printed in black ink on delicate light gray China paper, then laid down on ivory wove paper, this lithograph showcases the medium's revolutionary potential in the early 1830s. Lithography, using greasy crayon on stone, allowed artists like Isabey to achieve rich tonal gradations and fluid lines that mimicked his watercolor sketches, making high-quality reproductions accessible to a wider audience. At 21.2 × 28.6 cm, its intimate scale invites close viewing, revealing intricate details of ships and swells. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this work highlights lithography's role in democratizing art during France's July Monarchy, bridging fine art and popular print culture. Visitors will appreciate how Isabey's masterful strokes transport them to the salty breezes of Dieppe's shore.

About the Artist

Eugène Isabey · 1803–1886

Eugène Isabey (1803–1886) was a French painter and lithographer known for his dramatic seascapes, coastal scenes, and historical compositions. Born in Paris, he was the son of the celebrated miniaturist and portraitist Jean-Baptiste Isabey, who provided his early artistic training. The younger Isabey studied briefly with various masters but was largely shaped by his father's studio and by his own ...