Storm on the Oosterscheld near Haemstede

Hermanus Koekkoek Sen., the younger brother of the renowned artist Barend Cornelis Koekkoek (lot 189) was like his brother before him a pupil of his father Johannes Hermanus (1778-1851). Following the tradition of the famous family of painters he was celebrated primarily for his river landscapes and seascapes which he made into his speciality. In his earlier years Hermanus primarily concentrated on stormy seascapes, in which he was influenced by famous marine painters of his period, like Johannes Christiaan Schotel (1787-1883). In these paintings his painterly qualities come into their own, as is visible in the present lot. It perfectly shows the artist's luminous palette which expresses a tempestuous atmosphere with waves breaking against the shore. The precision in detail and execution, the way the light reflects on the waves and the skilled execution of the figures show Koekkoeks skills at his best.