Gesigt op Amsterdam: sailing-freights on the IJ, with the Westertoren in the distance, Amsterdam

Details

Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek (Dutch, 1778-1851)
Gesigt op Amsterdam: sailing-freights on the IJ, with the Westertoren in the distance, Amsterdam
signed 'JH Koekkoek' (lower right); and signed again, inscribed with title and dated 'Gesigt op Amsterdam/geschildert Ao 1819/J.H. Koekkoek/tot/Harlingen' (on the reverse)
oil on panel
75.5 x 106 cm.

Provenance

Anonymous sale, Bearnes & Waycotts, Torquay, 6 March 1973, lot 562.
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, London, 14 November 1973, lot 193, where acquired by the present owner.

Special notice

Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €20,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €20,001 and €800.000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €800.000. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.

Lot Essay

The present lot depicts the IJ in Amsterdam with the Westertoren beyond. J.H.. Koekkoek has excelled in capturing the stormy waters with highly realistic transparent water and exact detailing in the vessels such as the large 'hektjalk'. The artist found many buyers for his works in Amsterdam where he had started exhibiting in 1810. In 1826, seven years after the present lot was painted, he moved to Durgerdam, a small village on the edge of the IJ near Amsterdam. Aside from the skilled execution, the subject of this painting adds to its desirability. A view of the IJ of this monumental size and condition has not been seen in salerooms for many years.

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