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Lot Essay
After the early demise of his tutor marine painter Louis Meyer (1809-1866), Klinkenberg studied with Christoffel Bisschop (1828-1904). Growing up in The Hague, Klinkenberg had started with his lessons at the age of fourteen. Bisschops influence resulted predominantly in the infusion of his masterly use of clair obscuro. These sunlit effects, also clearly visible in the present lot, are the result of his attractive and bright palette. From 1876 onwards Klinkenberg specialized in town views and concentrated on a well-balanced composition. This was often achieved by the right point of view from which to render a specific group of building. Concentrating on well-balanced compositions in which light played an important role. His oeuvre shows an evident preference for the historical architecture of the Netherlands especially with rich waterways, canals or waterfronts, in particular cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. The compositional art of the capriccio or fantasy city view was sometimes used but often he embellished slightly but never strayed far from the truth. Klinkenberg was fascinated by the city of Amsterdam, the diverse architecture of the city enthralled him. So enraptured by the city was Klinkenberg that he moved there in 1887 to stay for 6 years. His star rose quickly and Klinkenberg had numerous successes at the Exhibitions for Levende Meesters and sold works to the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam and the Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst (now the Stedelijk Museum) in Amsterdam.
Klinkenberg's towns are often seen from the water, a viewpoint he obviously favoured. In the present lot the artist shows a view of the Singel canal in Amsterdam on a sunny day, with the bright and vivid reflection of the sun on both the architecture and the water. The divers architecture of the city of Amsterdam enthralled Klinkenberg and he would try to capture it with his attractive and bright palette. What sets Klinkenberg apart from his contemporaries of The Hague School is the remarkable use of colour in his townscapes. Whereas works of other artists are often defined by tonality, Klinkenberg's oeuvre is rather French-oriented with bright, saturated colours.
Klinkenberg's towns are often seen from the water, a viewpoint he obviously favoured. In the present lot the artist shows a view of the Singel canal in Amsterdam on a sunny day, with the bright and vivid reflection of the sun on both the architecture and the water. The divers architecture of the city of Amsterdam enthralled Klinkenberg and he would try to capture it with his attractive and bright palette. What sets Klinkenberg apart from his contemporaries of The Hague School is the remarkable use of colour in his townscapes. Whereas works of other artists are often defined by tonality, Klinkenberg's oeuvre is rather French-oriented with bright, saturated colours.