This painting was executed in 1842 by most prominent French marine painter Baron Jean Antoine Theodor Gudin (1802-1880) depicts view of Sidi El Feruch, the Algerian port and French military arsenal during French conquest of Algier in 1830-1907. Sidi Fredj was the landing spot where the French established their beachhead for the Invasion of Algiers in 1830. A number of ships of the French Navy were subsequently named Sidi Ferruch, the colonial name of the town under French rule, in honor of the event.

Gudin has come back to the motif several times in his paintings. In addition to our paintings, other paintings by Gudin are known: “Bataillenavale A Sidi El Feruch“; " View od Sidi el Feruch"; "Arsenal de la Marine in Sidi Feruch".

Theodor Gudin studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts under Girodet-Trioson from 1817, but soon became one of the representatives of the romantical movement and entered the circle of such artists as Gericault and Delacroix. By his first exhibiton in Salon 1822 his marine paintings brought him the glory. In 1824 he recieved the Gold Medal and 1828 Knight Cross of the Honor Legion. In 1838/1848 he created many marine works, 63 of them situated in Museum of Versailles. About 60 years long (1822-1880) he exhibited his works in Salon and abroad at the Exhibitions of the Royal Academy and the British Institute in London. In 1841 the artist worked in Warsaw and in 1841-1845 in St.Petersburg on commission of Tsar Nicholas I. He made 12 large paintings for the Tsar with views of the main Russian ports.

Literature: E. Benezit " Dictionary of painters, sculptors, decorators and etchers"(in French), Paris, 1999; Thieme/Becker, Leipzig,1999, in on-lne: wikipedia in Russian and English.

Inscription: inscribed , signed and dated in French: „ to my friend Genty de Bussy, T.Gudin, 1842, Sidi de Feruch"; on the back of the Wood Panel - the stamp of a Paris art material producer with his adress: Place Vendome 8.

Technique: oil on wood. Original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 11 3/4" x h 7 7/8" (30 x 20 cm), framed w 18 7/8" x h 15"(48 x 38 cm).

Condition: in very good cleaned condition.