#cazabon

CAZABON, Michel Jean (1813-1888) and CICÉRI, Eugène (1813-1890). Views of Trinidad. Paris: Lemercier, 1851.

CAZABON, Michel Jean (1813-1888) and CICÉRI, Eugène (1813-1890). Views of Trinidad. Paris: Lemercier, 1851. The first edition of “possibly the finest set of engravings that has ever been produced of the West Indes” (Maclean). Born in Trinidad, Cazabon studied in Europe before setting up his studio in Port of Spain in 1848. “Quick to see the need for pictures of Trinidad to illustrate its landscape and architecture to the families and friends of English and French settlers, [Cazabon] ... decided to publish a folio of lithographs and invited subscriptions.” The present album was published in 1851, with lithographs by Eugène Cicéri after Cazabon’s drawings. 149 copies were subscribed. Abbey Travel II, 696; MacLean, Cazabon: an Illustrated Biography, 1986. Oblong folio (287 x 402mm). Lithographic title, 18 tinted lithographs interleaved with tissue guards, list of subscribers (spotting, occasionally affecting plates; faint dampstain to final leaves). Contemporary cloth-backed marbled boards (light wear to edges, spine chipped).

Artist: Michel Jean Cazabon (Trinidadian, 1813–1888)

Title: Port of Spain from Fort George

Medium: oil on canvas

Size:45.7 x 60.9 cm. (18 x 24 in.)

Michel-Jean Cazabon was a Trinidadian painter known for his naturalistic landscapes, portraits, and glimpses of everyday life in his home country during the 19th century. His detailed yet atmospheric depictions of tropical landscapes afforded him international renown. Many of his works were collected by aristocratic Harris family and are now on display in Kent, United Kingdom. Born on September 20, 1813 in Naparima, Trinidad, Cazabon attended school at St. Edmund’s College in Ware, United Kingdom from 1826–1830. Briefly returning to Trinidad, he soon left for Europe to pursue studies in Paris, first in medicine, then in fine art under Paul Delaroche. He traveled throughout France and Italy before settling back in homeland. Over the course of his career, he notably exhibited at the Salon du Louvre in Paris in 1839 and the “Colonial and Indian Exhibition” in London in 1886. Cazabon died on November 20, 1888 in Trinidad at the age of 75.

CAZABON, Michel Jean (1813-1888) and CICÉRI, Eugène (1813-1890). Views of Trinidad. Paris: Lemercier, 1851.

Anyone know which Trinidad government buildings these are in Cazabon's painting?

A few friends have theorised it could be the Red House before the central section was added.