Lot Essay
Charles Rochussen was born in Rotterdam in 1814. In 1837 he settled in The Hague and was trained by the Romantic artist Wynand Nuyen. More than a decade later he went to Amsterdam where he became an important member of the artist society 'Arti et Amicitiae'. In 1869 Rochussen returned to Rotterdam where he immediately became a member of the board of the Academy of Arts. His ability to capture the pivotal moment of an occurrence in history in a lively scene, historically correct to the smallest detail, is without rival amongst his contemporaries.
The present lot depicts Stadholder William III and Johan Maurits on inspection at Hinderschans. William III was born in 1650, a month after the death of his father. At this time everything was done to ensure that the young son would not become the new Stadholder. Everything changed due to the dramatic events of 1672. The Low countries were under siege by the English, French and Germans. Strong leadership was called for and riots broke out in favour of the young prince. The forces of the prince took their positions behind the 'waterlinie', a Dutch wall of defence created by flooding parts of the land. The present lot depicts a true scene from this period in history, as William was a passionate leader who involved himself directly with the defence of Holland. In 1673 Spain joined the war on the side of the Republic. After having defeated the English at sea, peace was declared in 1674.
Compare with a watercolour of the same subject matter dated 1878 in the collection Van Stolk, Rotterdam, inv.no. 36281.
The present lot depicts Stadholder William III and Johan Maurits on inspection at Hinderschans. William III was born in 1650, a month after the death of his father. At this time everything was done to ensure that the young son would not become the new Stadholder. Everything changed due to the dramatic events of 1672. The Low countries were under siege by the English, French and Germans. Strong leadership was called for and riots broke out in favour of the young prince. The forces of the prince took their positions behind the 'waterlinie', a Dutch wall of defence created by flooding parts of the land. The present lot depicts a true scene from this period in history, as William was a passionate leader who involved himself directly with the defence of Holland. In 1673 Spain joined the war on the side of the Republic. After having defeated the English at sea, peace was declared in 1674.
Compare with a watercolour of the same subject matter dated 1878 in the collection Van Stolk, Rotterdam, inv.no. 36281.