First steps in the surf

The theme of the present lot was one of the artist's favorite subject matters. Blommers depicted the young fisher-woman with her child in the surf in various works. In the 1890's the artist moved to the fishing-village Katwijk. His previous residence Scheveningen was rapidly turning into a wordly beach resort and had lost its charm in Blommers' eyes. Katwijk was still an unspoilt fishing village and provided the artist with renewed inspiration to paint his favourite subject: carefree children absorbed in their daily activities and play. Local children would often pose on the beach or in his studio. At the turn of the century the popularity of these pictures was not limited to the Netherlands alone. British, American and Canadian collectors also held the Hague School artists in high esteem.