Lot Essay
The present lot is a preliminary study for the paintings Museumbezoek and De zaalwachter, now in the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Before separation The two paintings once formed a whole.
In the picture nowadays known as De zaalwachter only the socle of a large sculptore also appears in the study.
The composition of the present lot shows much more resemblance with the final painting. Most striking difference however is the use of a view in an alley in the study, where in the picture Museumbezoek the vista has disappeared.
According to van Tuyll van Serooskerken the subject of The museum visit marks a turn in the oeuvre of Allebé: "Museumbezoek is het eerste schilderij sedert jaren waarin hij niet langer boerinnen of wevers tot onderwerp koos, maar het steedse burgermilieu waartoe hij ook zelf behoorde" (cf. Loos, W. and Tuyll van Serooskerken, C. van, p. 129).
See illustration and cover illustration
In the picture nowadays known as De zaalwachter only the socle of a large sculptore also appears in the study.
The composition of the present lot shows much more resemblance with the final painting. Most striking difference however is the use of a view in an alley in the study, where in the picture Museumbezoek the vista has disappeared.
According to van Tuyll van Serooskerken the subject of The museum visit marks a turn in the oeuvre of Allebé: "Museumbezoek is het eerste schilderij sedert jaren waarin hij niet langer boerinnen of wevers tot onderwerp koos, maar het steedse burgermilieu waartoe hij ook zelf behoorde" (cf. Loos, W. and Tuyll van Serooskerken, C. van, p. 129).
See illustration and cover illustration