Poortje van het Oude Vrouwenhuis, Hoorn

It is generally assumed that the present lot was executed in 1836, when Bosboom was only 19 years old. He had just finished his training in the studio of the painter of topographical views Bart van Hove (1790-1880) after a period of four years and had started to work for himself. In this period he executed various pictures of views in and around The Hague. The gate in the present lot is similar to the 'Poortje Oude Vrouwenhuis' at the Kerkplein in Hoorn. Although 'Scheveningen' is scratched in the paintlayer above the church-door, the coat-of-arms of Hoorn - the Unicorn - strengthen the theory that the gate depicted is that of Hoorn. It has also been suggested that the present lot is a cappriccio view in which the gate of Hoorn is pasted against the Noorderkerk of Hoorn. This self-constructed composition is still under the influence of Van Hove who was a well known painter of theatrical decors. The emphasis on the decorative elements of the gate and the various plans which guide the spectator into the scene in the church, betrays Bosboom's artisitic theatrical training.