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Lot Essay
Apart from his well known Dutch townscapes with prominent characteristic buildings and façades in identifiable cities (see for example lot 143), Springer also specialised in painting delicate streetscenes, of which the present lot is a good example. These modest sized pictures were very popular and he was often commissioned to produce them.
From 1860 onwards Springer used a standard format of 25 x 20 cm. for these intimate pictures. He called them 'albumschilderijtjes' (album pictures). Springer continued to produce these pictures until the end of his career, probably also as a change from the larger size pictures which demanded a lot of effort from the artist. The 'albumschilderijtjes' also gave him the opportunity to use his skills and artisticity freely. Therefore these panels show Springer's unique abilities. The present lot is an excellent example of the small and delicate gems produced by this remarkable artist.
Reacting to the quickly changing atmosphere of city life, Springer represented simple folkloristic neighbourhoods. The present lot depicts a slightly romantised view of the Voldersgracht in Haarlem with the late Gothic style tower of the St. Bavo (built in 1390-1519) in the distance. Today this picturesque spot of Haarlem has totally changed: the canal has been filled in and is now called the Gedempte Voldersgracht. To emphasize the picturesque effect Springer has enriched the architectural composition with staffage and has payed a lot of attention to the play of light on the street and the buildings.
From 1860 onwards Springer used a standard format of 25 x 20 cm. for these intimate pictures. He called them 'albumschilderijtjes' (album pictures). Springer continued to produce these pictures until the end of his career, probably also as a change from the larger size pictures which demanded a lot of effort from the artist. The 'albumschilderijtjes' also gave him the opportunity to use his skills and artisticity freely. Therefore these panels show Springer's unique abilities. The present lot is an excellent example of the small and delicate gems produced by this remarkable artist.
Reacting to the quickly changing atmosphere of city life, Springer represented simple folkloristic neighbourhoods. The present lot depicts a slightly romantised view of the Voldersgracht in Haarlem with the late Gothic style tower of the St. Bavo (built in 1390-1519) in the distance. Today this picturesque spot of Haarlem has totally changed: the canal has been filled in and is now called the Gedempte Voldersgracht. To emphasize the picturesque effect Springer has enriched the architectural composition with staffage and has payed a lot of attention to the play of light on the street and the buildings.