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Lot Essay
Johann Bernard Klombeck was raised in the dukedom of Cleves close to the Dutch border. He got his first education form his uncle, the painter Matthias Tinthoff (1794-1881) who specialized in portraiture and genre scenes. In 1841 the Dutch romantic landscape painter, Barend Cornelis Koekkoek (1803-1862), founded an Academy in Cleves and Klombeck and his uncle were among the first pupils to join. Romantic elements, such as prominent trees and ruins, stormy weather and figures fighting against the four elements are repeatedly being used in Klombeck’s work. In the present lot the snowy path lined with ancient oaks leads the viewer’s eye into the composition, following the horse and cattle and their shepherds on their path. Klombeck was said to be the finest pupil of Koekkoek and he became a leading member of the Romantic School and the foremost representative of the Academy in Cleves until Koekkoek’s death in 1862.
Eugène Joseph Verboeckhoven studied under Balthasar-Paul Ommeganck (1755-1826) at the Academy of Ghent. In 1820 he made his debut in the salon in Ghent, when he already was a member of the Academy in Antwerp and Saint Petersburg and had been awarded several titles and awards. Verboeckhoven is known as one of the most prominent artists of the 19th century in his genre, his work is in fine detail and the richness and luminosity of his palette is exceptional. His expertise lies in the representation of animals, such as scheep, cows, goats and other cattle. His skills were not only in high demand among his pupils, which led to a vibrant and successful studio in Schaerbeek, but as well among successful, contemporary artists such as Frederik Marinus Kruseman (1816-1882), Barend Cornelis Koekkoek (1803-1862), Louis Pierre Verwee (1807-1877) and others who asked him to paint together. In these collaborations Verboeckhoven decorated the landscapes of his colleagues with figures and animals, a method also known as stofferen, staffage.
Klombeck and Verboeckhoven were introduced to each other by Barend Cornelis Koekkoek in 1856 and frequently collaborated thereafter. Both painter’s where at the hight of their careers when they painted the present lot. The work can be seen as a highlight of their collaboration, showcasing the artist's talents to the greatest extent.
Eugène Joseph Verboeckhoven studied under Balthasar-Paul Ommeganck (1755-1826) at the Academy of Ghent. In 1820 he made his debut in the salon in Ghent, when he already was a member of the Academy in Antwerp and Saint Petersburg and had been awarded several titles and awards. Verboeckhoven is known as one of the most prominent artists of the 19th century in his genre, his work is in fine detail and the richness and luminosity of his palette is exceptional. His expertise lies in the representation of animals, such as scheep, cows, goats and other cattle. His skills were not only in high demand among his pupils, which led to a vibrant and successful studio in Schaerbeek, but as well among successful, contemporary artists such as Frederik Marinus Kruseman (1816-1882), Barend Cornelis Koekkoek (1803-1862), Louis Pierre Verwee (1807-1877) and others who asked him to paint together. In these collaborations Verboeckhoven decorated the landscapes of his colleagues with figures and animals, a method also known as stofferen, staffage.
Klombeck and Verboeckhoven were introduced to each other by Barend Cornelis Koekkoek in 1856 and frequently collaborated thereafter. Both painter’s where at the hight of their careers when they painted the present lot. The work can be seen as a highlight of their collaboration, showcasing the artist's talents to the greatest extent.