Study from Nature at Bex

François Diday (1802-1877) was born in Geneva where he trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts before studying with Antoine-Jean Gros in Paris in 1830. He won official recognition in 1840 when Louis-Philippe bought one of his paintings (now destroyed) and was awarded the Légion d’honneur two years later. Diday was also a prolific draughtsman and engraver.

This painting is a fine example of Diday’s output. He essentially executed views of imposing mountains, in particular the Alps, characterised by a high degree of finish and atmospheric effects. The present composition was probably made in his studio thanks to sketches executed after nature (here at Bex, in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland). Diday is considered together with his pupil Alexandre Calame ((1810-1864) to be the leading member of the Swiss mountainous landscapists.