18. Antoine Le Loup
(1730-after 1772)

View of the Town of Spa and the Promenade of Seven O’Clock

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Le Loup , View of the Town

View of the Town of Spa and the Promenade of Seven O’Clock

Drawing in black ink and wash on vellum, the title and framing lines in brown, signed and dated 1770 in black ink; old central vertical crease and the usual light rippling of vellum, sheet 253 x 389 mm. Spa is the town in Belgium that gives its name to medicinal springs throughout the world. Le Loup was a native of Spa and made his livelihood from drawing views in and around the town, some of which were later engraved. Patrons of such establishments tended to come from the wealthier classes and were likely customers for remembrances of a place where they received not only medicinal benefit but, in all likelihood, the pleasures of music, theater and gaming as well. Le Loup’s style was precisionist to a fault, with each tree branch and house window delineated with the same care as he gave to his overall composition and perspective.