Bacler d'Albe began his career as a draughtsman, and lived in Italy for seven years. He later entered the army and was noticed by Bonaparte, who used his talents to draw topographical views and armoury. He was part of Bonaparte's staff, in charge of the topographical office and followed him in all of his campaigns. He became a general in 1813 and during the Restauration lived in Sèvres were he resumed his career as an artist. The theme of this and the following lot are inspired by Poussin's pair of pictures painted for Pointel in 1651: one of a morning scene and the other of an evening scene, respectively now at Sudeley Castle and Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rouen, A. Mérot, Nicolas Poussin, London, 1990, pp. 162-3, illustrated.