Lot Essay
Jan Toorop (Java, Dutch Indies 1858 - The Hague 1928) stood, together with Johan Thorn Prikker and Antoon Derkinderen, at the dawn of the Symbolist movement in Holland. Like many of his contemporaries, he did not only confine himself to the fine arts, but also applied himself to the decorative arts which resulted in designs for tile-panels, bookbindings, mirror- and picture frames and chased work.
In 1899 Toorop had the intention to execute himself some of his drawings in copper (Van Wezel, op. cit., p. 9 footnote 30). Later on, around 1900-1901, he had his chased work executed by young fishermen in Katwijk (Janssen, op. cit.). These were then sold by 'De Wekker', a shop for domestic industry in The Hague.
This copper panel is a design after the litho 'Wagenaars Schipbreuk' (Wagenaars Shipwreck) which Toorop specially designed in 1895 for a performance of a parodic cantata by Johan Wagenaar with a verse after the Schoolmeester (Schoolmaster).
In the design this subject is rendered by four fatal female nudes with flowing curvilinear hairdress, symbolising the rough see which will finally cause the shipwreck. The lyre which one of the females plays, symbolises sadness.
In 1899 Toorop had the intention to execute himself some of his drawings in copper (Van Wezel, op. cit., p. 9 footnote 30). Later on, around 1900-1901, he had his chased work executed by young fishermen in Katwijk (Janssen, op. cit.). These were then sold by 'De Wekker', a shop for domestic industry in The Hague.
This copper panel is a design after the litho 'Wagenaars Schipbreuk' (Wagenaars Shipwreck) which Toorop specially designed in 1895 for a performance of a parodic cantata by Johan Wagenaar with a verse after the Schoolmeester (Schoolmaster).
In the design this subject is rendered by four fatal female nudes with flowing curvilinear hairdress, symbolising the rough see which will finally cause the shipwreck. The lyre which one of the females plays, symbolises sadness.