Lot 3: Pieter Jochums Lofvers (Groningen 1712-1788)

Pieter Jochums Lofvers (Groningen 1712-1788)
A Dutch man-o'war and trading vessels off a rocky headland; and Dutch merchant flutes inshore off a rocky coastline (both illustrated)
the first signed and dated 'P Lofvers./1770' (lower left); the second signed and indistinctly inscribed 'P Lofvers invendo [?]' (lower left)
oil on panel
10½ x 14 in. (26.7 x 35.5 cm.)
a pair (2)

Born in Groningen in 1712, the painter and sculptor Pieter Jochums Lofvers was a pupil of Jan Abel Wassenbergh (1689-1750). Lofvers had his own studio and workshop where he lacquered, gilded and painted seascapes on furniture - one of his commissions was to gild parts of the organ in the Martini Church, Groningen. He was also a wallpaper painter and his wallpaper factory, for which he was granted a patent in 1738, was one of the oldest in the city. After his death in 1788, his son Hendrik continued on with the family tradition. His work is represented in the Groningen Museum amongst others.