Rokin with the Nieuwezijdskapel, Amsterdam

Details

George Hendrik Breitner (Dutch, 1857-1923)
Rokin with the Nieuwezijdskapel, Amsterdam
signed 'G.H. Breitner' (lower left)
oil on canvas
70.5 x 81 cm.
Painted circa 1904

Provenance

Kunsthandel Van Wisselingh & Co., Amsterdam, 1910-1913, no. 2194 and 3423X.
F.J.G. Bosman.
E.A. Veltman, Bloemendaal, 1928.
H.P. Doodeheefver, Hilversum, 1947, by descent to the present owner.

Literature

A. Pit (ed.), George Hendrik Breitner. Indrukken en Biografische Aanteekeningen: 90 photogravures naar zijne werken, Amsterdam, [circa 1902], p. 173, ill.
A. Venema, G.H.Breitner, 1857-1923, Amsterdam 1981, p. 302, ill.

Exhibited

Rotterdam, Rotterdamsche Kunstkring, Tentoonstelling van werk van G.H. Breitner, 5 February-13 March 1910, cat.no. 44.
Amsterdam, Kunsthandel E.J. van Wisselingh & Co, Tentoonstelling van schilderijen en aquarellen door G.H. Breitner, September-October 1916, cat.no. 28.
The Hague, Gemeente Museum, Breitner Tentoonstelling, 10 November-9 December 1928, cat.no. 162.
Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum, Breitner en Amsterdam, October-November 1947, cat.no. 138.
The Hague, Gemeente Museum, Breitner, 23 December 1947-19 January 1948, cat.no. 96.
Rotterdam, Museum Boymans, Breitner, March-April 1954, cat.no. 58b.
Laren, Singer Museum, Kunstbezit rondom Laren, 3 July-31 August 1958, cat.no. 205, as: Rokin Amsterdam.

Special notice

Christie's charge a premium to the buyer on the final bid price of each lot sold at the following rates: 23.8% of the final bid price of each lot sold up to and including €150,000 and 14.28% of any amount in excess of €150,000. Buyers' premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.

Lot Essay

The Rokin in Amsterdam is a recurring theme in Breitner's oeuvre. Following his move to Amsterdam in 1886, Breitner was often to be found roaming the city centre. Not only was the gallery Van Wisselingh & Co. situated in this area, his artist's society 'Arti et Amicitiae' was located on the Rokin and is visible in the background of the present lot. The present lot was painted at the height of his career as Breitner had already been honoured by a major retrospective exhibition at 'Arti et Amicitiae' in 1901, which confirmed his position as a leading artist of his time.

The old Nieuwezijdskapel, which is also known as the Heylighe Stee, is visible on the right of the composition. This chapel was built in 1345 to commemorate a miracle which occurred on this spot. Notwithstanding many protests, the building was demolished in 1908.

In 1903 Breitner had moved from Amsterdam to Aerdenhout, inspired by his friend Marius Bauer who had done the same. His house 'Villa Inter Quercus' had been designed by Bauer's brother Willem. Despite this move, Breitner's fascination with Amsterdam's street life never diminished as he moved back to Amsterdam in 1906.

This exceptional painting bears witness to Breitner's proclivity for city life, displaying the characteristic tension between impression and expression for which his work so highly appreciated.

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