A Sea Port in Moonlight

after Claude Lorrain (Champagne 1600 – Rome 1682). Oil painting on canvas, A Sea Port in Moonlight, after Claude Lorrain (Champagne 1600 – Rome 1682). Written on a sheet of paper glued to the back - "A painting of a sea port by Claude, taken by Napoleon during his campaign in Italy and brought back by him to Paris as a present to Josephine, in whose chateau at Navarre it remained till purchased by Monsieur Hew?, Rue Mont Martre, a Paris, from whom the present proprietor purchased it. While in the possession of the Empress it was so much admired, and in case of a reverse of fortune and to prevent if ever being recognised or claimed, a tree was painted up the centre of the picture in watercolour and then varnished. Upon removing the varnish and washing the picture the painting was revealed in its previous state. It is supposed to be a Moonlight, a very rare thing for Claude to paint." Melford Hall, Suffolk (Accredited Museum)