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Lot Essay
The Koekkoek family has a reputation for unsurpassed quality within the tradition of Dutch Romantic art. Founding father Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek (1778-1851) was a very accomplished marine painter and the following generations boasts members such as Barend Cornelis Koekkoek (1803-1862), Marinus Adrianus Koekkoek (1807-1868), Hermanus Koekkoek Senior (1815-1882) and the painter of the present lot, Willem Koekkoek. As the son of marine painter Hermanus Koekkoek Sen., and grandson of Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek, an artistic education and career were natural choices. After formal training by his father, Willem specialized in the depiction of townscapes. His work was well received and he was praised for his lifelike Dutch town scenes which were often richly figured.
Although born in Amsterdam and very fond of the variety of subjects the city had to offer, Willem often moved and found his inspiration in cities and villages around Holland. He lived in The Hague in 1878 and in Utrecht from 1878 until he returned to Amsterdam in 1880. Finally he moved to Nieuwer-Amstel in 1885 where he lived until his death in 1895. Willem held his first exhibition in Leeuwarden in 1859 at the age of twenty and from that time on he frequently showed his work at various exhibitions in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. In the 1880's - at the height of his career - he also entered his work at numerous international exhibitions. Because his brother Hermanus Koekkoek jun. had successfully started an Art Gallery in London in 1880 in which he sold the works of, amongst others, Willem, himself and other members of his family, Willem's reputation soared.
The present lot is a wonderful example of Willem Koekkoek's talent and skill in rendering a peaceful and idealized view of a typical Dutch town. Although the street scene looks authentic, the present lot is a so-called capriccio: an architectonic reconstruction of numerous elements of historical towns which Koekkoek had visited. The scene is set in a sunlit town in winter, with strong diagonal lines directing the spectators view into the depth of the composition. Although richly staged with figures conversing the depicted scene is not overcrowded and presents a tranquil atmosphere. Willem Koekkoek’s emphasis lies on the fine architecture and strong claire-obscure, always striving for the most attractive and balanced composition. An important aspect of Willems work is the way he captures the light in its most natural form. He had a defining way of using light and shadow in a contrasting manner, in which the shadows served as a repoussoir. In the present lot there is a contrast between the foreground of the picture which is darkened by shadow and the background which is sunlit highlighting the beautiful architectural details of the buildings.
Although born in Amsterdam and very fond of the variety of subjects the city had to offer, Willem often moved and found his inspiration in cities and villages around Holland. He lived in The Hague in 1878 and in Utrecht from 1878 until he returned to Amsterdam in 1880. Finally he moved to Nieuwer-Amstel in 1885 where he lived until his death in 1895. Willem held his first exhibition in Leeuwarden in 1859 at the age of twenty and from that time on he frequently showed his work at various exhibitions in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. In the 1880's - at the height of his career - he also entered his work at numerous international exhibitions. Because his brother Hermanus Koekkoek jun. had successfully started an Art Gallery in London in 1880 in which he sold the works of, amongst others, Willem, himself and other members of his family, Willem's reputation soared.
The present lot is a wonderful example of Willem Koekkoek's talent and skill in rendering a peaceful and idealized view of a typical Dutch town. Although the street scene looks authentic, the present lot is a so-called capriccio: an architectonic reconstruction of numerous elements of historical towns which Koekkoek had visited. The scene is set in a sunlit town in winter, with strong diagonal lines directing the spectators view into the depth of the composition. Although richly staged with figures conversing the depicted scene is not overcrowded and presents a tranquil atmosphere. Willem Koekkoek’s emphasis lies on the fine architecture and strong claire-obscure, always striving for the most attractive and balanced composition. An important aspect of Willems work is the way he captures the light in its most natural form. He had a defining way of using light and shadow in a contrasting manner, in which the shadows served as a repoussoir. In the present lot there is a contrast between the foreground of the picture which is darkened by shadow and the background which is sunlit highlighting the beautiful architectural details of the buildings.