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Lot Essay
Cornelis Springer grew up in a family of architects and building contractors in Amsterdam. He initially painted town views which followed the contemporary trend of idealizing the past and the Dutch national heritage. From the early 1850s onwards, Springer abandoned the fantasy element in his work and concentrated on existing topographical locations, following an increasing interest in topographically accurate subjects.
Springer was especially inspired by the small harbour town of Enkhuizen. This town features most frequently in his work after the town views of his native Amsterdam. Enkhuizen, a quiet town on the shores of what used to be the Zuiderzee, had lost nothing of its architectural glory in spite of its economic decline since the hayday of the 17th Century. Springer frequently visited the town and its neighbouring village of Hoorn in the 1860s and 1870s and was impressed by its charming historical atmosphere. Springer's first visits to Enkhuizen date from 1864 and 1865, resulting in a series of 16 pencil drawings which are kept in the collection of the Technical University, Delft (photographs recorded at the R.K.D., The Hague).
The present lot, painted in 1875, is one of a series of works depicting Enkhuizen produced in this year (see also lot 158). The present lot shows all the artistic and technical skills that Springer is famous for: the masterful play of strongly contrasting light and shadow, the detailed depiction of the historical gables, an abundance of architectural details and lively, imaginative staffage.
Springer was especially inspired by the small harbour town of Enkhuizen. This town features most frequently in his work after the town views of his native Amsterdam. Enkhuizen, a quiet town on the shores of what used to be the Zuiderzee, had lost nothing of its architectural glory in spite of its economic decline since the hayday of the 17th Century. Springer frequently visited the town and its neighbouring village of Hoorn in the 1860s and 1870s and was impressed by its charming historical atmosphere. Springer's first visits to Enkhuizen date from 1864 and 1865, resulting in a series of 16 pencil drawings which are kept in the collection of the Technical University, Delft (photographs recorded at the R.K.D., The Hague).
The present lot, painted in 1875, is one of a series of works depicting Enkhuizen produced in this year (see also lot 158). The present lot shows all the artistic and technical skills that Springer is famous for: the masterful play of strongly contrasting light and shadow, the detailed depiction of the historical gables, an abundance of architectural details and lively, imaginative staffage.