Details
Johan Hendrik van Mastenbroek (1875-1945)

Herinnering aan de verlichting op de tentoonstelling te Gent, 1913

signed and dated J.H. van Mastenbroek Gent 1913, and signed and dated again and inscribed with title on the stretcher
70 x 130 cm
Literature
A. Glavimans, J.H. van Mastenbroek vertelt zijn herinneringen ten gelegenheid van zijn zeventigsten verjaardag, Rotterdam - Antwerp, 1946, p. 41

Lot Essay

From April 26 up to November 3, 1913, the Universal Exhibition was held in Gent, Belgium. During this exhibition circa 90 congresses took place. Van Mastenbroek and his friend Emile Claus were invited to visit the Art congress. (Congrès Artistique International, July 19 up to 23.)

The present lot shows a view of the pond in the Citadelpark where the café's and amusement attractions were situated. (Clearly recognizable is the so-called 'waterchute'.)
Most striking are the effects of the electric festive illumination in the trees and its reflection in the water.
Electric lighting was a novelty in Belgium in 1913 and during the Exhibition the general public was confronted for the first time with this innovation.

Electric lighting was a novelty in Belgium in 1913 and during the Exhibition the general public has been confronted for the first time with this innovation.

See colour illustration

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