Painter Clause-Joseph Vernet was born on August 14, 1714 in Avignon, France. He was known for moody maritime and landscape paintings with dramatic skies, and often incoporated bays and harbors into the portraits he was commissioned to paint. He was especially interested in subtle changes brought to landscapes throughout the four times of day: morning, afternoon, evening, and night. His work was frequently copied in both paintings and intaglio prints by artists throughout Europe. Vernet died in Paris on December 3, 1789.