.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Henriette's creative prowess is rooted in her family history. She was encouraged to paint at a young age by her father, the renowned landscape painter Joseph Knip (1877-1847). Both she and her brother, August, copied their father's oil studies of cattle and joined their father in drawing the countryside during their extensive travels in both Holland and France. Josephus gave his daughter her first easel, oils and paintbrushes for her 11th birthday. From a young age she assisted her father, slowly developing her very own style depicting animals, especially dogs and cats. In 1836, aged 15, Henriette had her artistic debut in Düsseldorf exhibiting 'Kitten watching a bumblebee'.
In 1850 she married Feico Ronner. Directly after the wedding they settled in Brussels, which had a large artistic community and a well-developed art market. Furthermore it allowed Henriette to travel effortlessly to both Holland and France, both equally important for the sale of her paintings. Henriette Ronner - she took on her husbands name and only signed Henriëtte Ronner, née Knip for the first year or so of her marriage - was a loyal contributor to the Belgian Salons. Her name became synonymous with well-executed animal scenes.
After 1870 she concentrated mainly on painting cats. This was to be a turning-point in her career and brought fortune to her and her family as she was one of the most successful artists in this genre. Ronner's exceptional talent for depicting these playful and elegant creatures is evident: each whisker and shiny area of fur is painted with great precision and minute detailing.
In 1850 she married Feico Ronner. Directly after the wedding they settled in Brussels, which had a large artistic community and a well-developed art market. Furthermore it allowed Henriette to travel effortlessly to both Holland and France, both equally important for the sale of her paintings. Henriette Ronner - she took on her husbands name and only signed Henriëtte Ronner, née Knip for the first year or so of her marriage - was a loyal contributor to the Belgian Salons. Her name became synonymous with well-executed animal scenes.
After 1870 she concentrated mainly on painting cats. This was to be a turning-point in her career and brought fortune to her and her family as she was one of the most successful artists in this genre. Ronner's exceptional talent for depicting these playful and elegant creatures is evident: each whisker and shiny area of fur is painted with great precision and minute detailing.