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Lot Essay
Louis Hague was born in Belgium in 1806, after moving to London in 1823 he was awarded the title of premier artist to the King, and later to Queen Victoria. He was one of the founding members of the New Society of Painters in Water-colours, and later became president. Typically he focussed on continental views and historical genre. In 1833 he started working for the firm 'Day & Son', which specialised in publishing lithographs. Hague's watercolours would be translated into lithographs and were widely distributed. They were so popular that unofficially the firm came to be known as 'Day & Hague'.
It is likely that the present watercolours were part of a set commissioned to commemorate the Great Exhibition. The first watercolour depicts 'The Medieval Court'. The design of this section of the exhibition was overseen by A. W. Pugin, and was one of the most popular with the public. In Hague's detailed study we can recognise the spire of a large stone font, and the canopied statue of the Virgin and Saviour, both of which, under the direction of Pugin, were built and carved by George Myers. These objects were featured in The Crystal Palace Exhibition: Illustrated Catalogue (London, 1851, p. 320).
The second watercolour shows 'The Austrian Court'. The main feature of this section was the grand State Bedstead, carved from locust-tree wood and decorated with statuettes and bas-reliefs. The figures trace the story of Adam and Eve, beginning at the foot of the bed and concluding at the head. To the left of the bed and surrounded by women, is an eau-de-cologne fountain.
It is likely that the present watercolours were part of a set commissioned to commemorate the Great Exhibition. The first watercolour depicts 'The Medieval Court'. The design of this section of the exhibition was overseen by A. W. Pugin, and was one of the most popular with the public. In Hague's detailed study we can recognise the spire of a large stone font, and the canopied statue of the Virgin and Saviour, both of which, under the direction of Pugin, were built and carved by George Myers. These objects were featured in The Crystal Palace Exhibition: Illustrated Catalogue (London, 1851, p. 320).
The second watercolour shows 'The Austrian Court'. The main feature of this section was the grand State Bedstead, carved from locust-tree wood and decorated with statuettes and bas-reliefs. The figures trace the story of Adam and Eve, beginning at the foot of the bed and concluding at the head. To the left of the bed and surrounded by women, is an eau-de-cologne fountain.