.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Cornelis Springer is considered to be one of the most important and influential architectural painters of the 19th century. Born into an Amsterdam family of building contractors and architects, it is clear why he became the townscape painter par excellence. He studied under the auspices of the well-known and celebrated architectural painter Kasparus Karsen (1810-1896). In the two years that Springer was his apprentice, he would learn how to create capriccio city views intertwined with topographically correct elements. It was the contemporary trend for painters in his circles to idealize the past and especially the Dutch national heritage. However, from the 1850s onwards, Springer moved towards a more realistic subject matter. He chose to abandon the fantasy elements within his work and concentrated on existing topographical locations.
The present lot is an excellent example of Springer's realistic and topographically correct style. Springer most often depicted his hometown Amsterdam, but also several other Dutch towns, such as Haarlem, Enkhuizen, Zwolle, Kampen and Monnickendam. Depicted here is Zaltbommel, a thousand year old fortified city at the centre of Holland, situated on the banks of the river Waal. Springer visited Zaltbommel between the 31st of August and the 2nd of September in 1859. During his stay he made several pencil sketches of the St. Martin's church with the Maarten van Rossum house. The compositional studies for the present lot clearly illustrate how the artist had already completely thought out and devised his composition in minute detail. Around this time Springer had acclaimed such fame, that he only worked on commission for private collectors and art dealers. A patron would choose a composition on the basis of his drawings, after which Springer would paint a version in oil. A waiting list of two years in this period was testimony to the great popularity of his work.
Depicted here is the Maarten van Rossumhuis, a sixteenth century house built around 1535. The house was commissioned by Maarten van Rossum (c. 1478-1555), a military tactician and later field marshal at the service of Charles II, Duke of Guelders (1467-1538). Characteristic are the small towers and the Renaissance carved decorations. In 1881, plans had been made to demolish the house, but with the help of Victor de Stuers and the famous architect Pierre Cuypers, the monument was saved and restored. Nowadays it houses museum Stadskasteel Zaltbommel. Springer's painting shows the monument in a state of decay, roughly twenty years before the restoration, forming a historical document of the house and allowing us a look into the 19th century streets of Zaltbommel.
Springer has applied an intricate lighting plan which ultimately draws the eye deep into the painting to the brightly lit houses in the background. The masterful play of strongly contrasting light and shadow and the abundance of architectural detail in the masonry demonstrate the artistic and technical skills that Springer is so famous for.
The present lot is an excellent example of Springer's realistic and topographically correct style. Springer most often depicted his hometown Amsterdam, but also several other Dutch towns, such as Haarlem, Enkhuizen, Zwolle, Kampen and Monnickendam. Depicted here is Zaltbommel, a thousand year old fortified city at the centre of Holland, situated on the banks of the river Waal. Springer visited Zaltbommel between the 31st of August and the 2nd of September in 1859. During his stay he made several pencil sketches of the St. Martin's church with the Maarten van Rossum house. The compositional studies for the present lot clearly illustrate how the artist had already completely thought out and devised his composition in minute detail. Around this time Springer had acclaimed such fame, that he only worked on commission for private collectors and art dealers. A patron would choose a composition on the basis of his drawings, after which Springer would paint a version in oil. A waiting list of two years in this period was testimony to the great popularity of his work.
Depicted here is the Maarten van Rossumhuis, a sixteenth century house built around 1535. The house was commissioned by Maarten van Rossum (c. 1478-1555), a military tactician and later field marshal at the service of Charles II, Duke of Guelders (1467-1538). Characteristic are the small towers and the Renaissance carved decorations. In 1881, plans had been made to demolish the house, but with the help of Victor de Stuers and the famous architect Pierre Cuypers, the monument was saved and restored. Nowadays it houses museum Stadskasteel Zaltbommel. Springer's painting shows the monument in a state of decay, roughly twenty years before the restoration, forming a historical document of the house and allowing us a look into the 19th century streets of Zaltbommel.
Springer has applied an intricate lighting plan which ultimately draws the eye deep into the painting to the brightly lit houses in the background. The masterful play of strongly contrasting light and shadow and the abundance of architectural detail in the masonry demonstrate the artistic and technical skills that Springer is so famous for.