Lot Essay
When Van der Hem in 1917 moves to Volendam he is only 31 years old and already looking back on a successful career. The number of paintings accomplished in this period, until the end of the first World War, are by composition reminiscent of those of the Bergense School.
He portrays the fishermen and inhabitants of the small fishing community of Volendam. The painter personally knows his models and perpetuates their pride as well as their vulnerability in his portraits.
In Volendam, Van der Hem comes to a better expression by his choice of colours. The use of reds, blues and greens in the present lot are illustrative. (cf. literature, exhibition catalogue, Germa van Heerbeek, Piet van der Hem, Fries Museum Leeuwarden 28 February-13 April 1987, p. 65, compare with picture of the same model, ill. no. 72 (private collection))
See illustration
He portrays the fishermen and inhabitants of the small fishing community of Volendam. The painter personally knows his models and perpetuates their pride as well as their vulnerability in his portraits.
In Volendam, Van der Hem comes to a better expression by his choice of colours. The use of reds, blues and greens in the present lot are illustrative. (cf. literature, exhibition catalogue, Germa van Heerbeek, Piet van der Hem, Fries Museum Leeuwarden 28 February-13 April 1987, p. 65, compare with picture of the same model, ill. no. 72 (private collection))
See illustration