The Portugese Israelite Synagogue, Amsterdam

In 1850 Bosboom had established his reputation as a painter of church-interiors. In that year he started painting the interior of the Jewish Synagogues in Amsterdam and The Hague. Of the synagogue in Amsterdam at least three detailed versions in oil are known: 'Portugese synagoge, Amsterdam' (see: G.H. Marius, Johannes Bosboom, The Hague 1917, ill. 21), 'Portugese synagoge, Amsterdam' (see: C.H. Dinkelaar, Johannes Bosboom 1817-1891), Laren 1999, cat.no. S621) and 'Synagogue des Juifs Portugais Amsterdam' (Sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 24 April 2002, lot 241). This last painting is the oil version of the present lot.

The Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam has been described time and again as one of Amsterdam's foremost buildings. It was built after designs by Elias Bouman and consecrated in 1675. As the largest synagogue in Western Europe it became the prototype for numerous synagogues elsewhere.