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Lot Essay
The artist Cornelis Kruseman had an award winning career in which he specialized in three different genres: religious works, portraits and scenes from Italian everyday life, of which the present lot is a magnificent example. After he had followed classes at the Academy of Amsterdam under the tutorship of Charles Howard Hodges (1764-1837) and Jean Augustin Daiwaille (1786-1850), Kruseman undertook his first trip to Italy in 1821 and would stay in Rome for three years. During this trip the foundation of his career was made. He became fascinated by Italian everyday life and espescially the 'Itallienes' he saw around him. From that moment onwards he would specialize in Italian subject matters earning him the name 'Italian Kruseman'.
The present lot was made in 1840, probably based on the sketches he had made during his trip to Italy between 1821-1825. His experiences are also documented in his travel journal 'Aantekeningen van C. Kruseman, betrekkelijk des zelfs kunstreis en verblijf in Italië' (1826). Nevertheless, he could not forget Italy and returned in 1841, where he would stay for 6 more years.
The present lot is one of the finest paintings by Cornelis Kruseman, and one can not overlook his sheer mastery. The beautifully executed textures and warm use of light is complemented by the carefully orchestrated composition and object array. The eye of the viewer is gracefully guided through the painting without loosing attention to the delightful details, for example the golden earrings worn by the female figure in the center. Another fine example of this type of work by the artist can be found in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, titled 'Of one heart' (inv.no. A 1070) (fig. 1).
The present lot was made in 1840, probably based on the sketches he had made during his trip to Italy between 1821-1825. His experiences are also documented in his travel journal 'Aantekeningen van C. Kruseman, betrekkelijk des zelfs kunstreis en verblijf in Italië' (1826). Nevertheless, he could not forget Italy and returned in 1841, where he would stay for 6 more years.
The present lot is one of the finest paintings by Cornelis Kruseman, and one can not overlook his sheer mastery. The beautifully executed textures and warm use of light is complemented by the carefully orchestrated composition and object array. The eye of the viewer is gracefully guided through the painting without loosing attention to the delightful details, for example the golden earrings worn by the female figure in the center. Another fine example of this type of work by the artist can be found in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, titled 'Of one heart' (inv.no. A 1070) (fig. 1).