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Lot Essay
Originally taught by his father Bartholomew, Eugene Verboeckhoven began exhibiting publicly at a very early age. By 1823, he was already sending works to exhibitions abroad, winning a silver medal in Douai in 1823 and he was awarded a gold medal at the 1824 Paris Salon. That same year, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam purchased a painting and the young artist's reputation quickly growing.
High demand for the artist's works resulted in a prolific output over a long career of more than sixty years, and his work was sought after by American and European collectors alike. During his life, Verboeckhoven was awarded many honours, including memberships at the Academies of Antwerp, Brussels and St. Petersburg. He was awarded the Croix de la Legion d'Honneur, the Order of Leopold de Belgique, the Order of Christ of Portugal and the Iron Cross of Germany.
Verboeckhoven is an excellent draughtsman, able to capture every detail and characteristic of animals. His ability to depict subtle effects of light is equally admired and all these elements come together in the present composition. The sheep are beautifully rendered, and the many details in the landscape, complete with another flock in the distance are all bathed in beautiful silvery light.
High demand for the artist's works resulted in a prolific output over a long career of more than sixty years, and his work was sought after by American and European collectors alike. During his life, Verboeckhoven was awarded many honours, including memberships at the Academies of Antwerp, Brussels and St. Petersburg. He was awarded the Croix de la Legion d'Honneur, the Order of Leopold de Belgique, the Order of Christ of Portugal and the Iron Cross of Germany.
Verboeckhoven is an excellent draughtsman, able to capture every detail and characteristic of animals. His ability to depict subtle effects of light is equally admired and all these elements come together in the present composition. The sheep are beautifully rendered, and the many details in the landscape, complete with another flock in the distance are all bathed in beautiful silvery light.