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Lot Essay
In 1878, Jacob Maris painted a view on The Hague with five windmills and vegetable gardens (so-called ‘warmoezenierstuintjes’ or ‘slatuintjes’) seen from the outskirts of the city from the Laan van Meerdervoort. This painting Slatuintjes bij Den Haag (Vegetable Gardens near The Hague) is now in the collection of the Gemeentemuseum The Hague (inv./cat.nr 80-1968) (see fig. 2). This was close to his house at the Bazarstraat in The Hague. Except for his student days in Antwerp and a stay in Paris, Maris has always lived and worked in The Hague. He painted the Vegetable Gardens near The Hague shortly after he moved to the Bazarstraat, which was then a rural area near Scheveningen. Approximately fourteen years later circa 1891-1892 he painted the present lot, depicting a similar view of The Hague with a very comparable composition showing a low horizon and a large atmospherically grey sky. By 1895, this whole area was built-up, in which we now know as the Zeeheldenkwartier. Maris did not, however, make a true-to-nature reflection of reality. Project developers designed regular street blocks, with narrow streets, but Maris preferred a more romanticized depiction of this area.
Jacob Maris is known for his grayish landscapes. He strived not for topographical correctness, but found atmosphere and composition more significant factors to consider. The present lot is a good example for that which he endeavoured; the painting scowls wistfulness and nostalgia. Shortly after its completion, it was sold off to the USA. Sir Edward Mallinckrodt Sr., a philanthropist and businessman in agricultural chemistry, bought the painting at the dealer Boussod, Valadon & Cie in The Hague for his house in Saint Louis, Missouri. In 1911 and 1922, the painting was exhibited at the City Art Museum of St. Louis. In its catalogue, the following can be read:
‘The interpretation of atmosphere, refinement of values, feelings of nature in the open, deepen the first favourable impression of a picture that is characteristic of the fine command of the Holland landscape school, as exemplified by this master.’
Johannes Graadt van Roggen (1867-1959) is known for his etching-reproductions of The Hague School paintings. He made an etching after the present lot which will be offered together with the painting (fig. 1).
Jacob Maris is known for his grayish landscapes. He strived not for topographical correctness, but found atmosphere and composition more significant factors to consider. The present lot is a good example for that which he endeavoured; the painting scowls wistfulness and nostalgia. Shortly after its completion, it was sold off to the USA. Sir Edward Mallinckrodt Sr., a philanthropist and businessman in agricultural chemistry, bought the painting at the dealer Boussod, Valadon & Cie in The Hague for his house in Saint Louis, Missouri. In 1911 and 1922, the painting was exhibited at the City Art Museum of St. Louis. In its catalogue, the following can be read:
‘The interpretation of atmosphere, refinement of values, feelings of nature in the open, deepen the first favourable impression of a picture that is characteristic of the fine command of the Holland landscape school, as exemplified by this master.’
Johannes Graadt van Roggen (1867-1959) is known for his etching-reproductions of The Hague School paintings. He made an etching after the present lot which will be offered together with the painting (fig. 1).