Crossing a bridge by Mount St Plomb

Details

Henri Knip (Dutch, 1819-after 1897)
Crossing a bridge by Mount St Plomb
inscribed with title 'De weg over den berg St Plomb' (lower left)
pencil and goauche on paper
50 x 75 cm.

Special notice

On occasion, Christie's has a direct financial interest in lots consigned for sale which may include guaranteeing a minimum price or making an advance to the consignor that is secured solely by consigned property. This is such a lot. This indicates both in cases where Christie's holds the financial interest on its own, and in cases where Christie's has financed all or a part of such interest through a third party. Such third parties generally benefit financially if a guaranteed lot is sold successfully and may incur a loss if the sale is not successful. Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €5,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €5,001 and €400,000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €400,001. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.

Lot Essay

It has been suggested that the present lot depicts the high mountain Simplon Pass (Passo del Sempione). The pass in the Lepontine Alps between Switzerland and Italy connects the city of Brig in the canton of Valais with Domodossola in Piedmont. The pass was used as part of a trade route between the two countries since the early middle ages. The present view may show the road following Napoleon's reconstructions in order for his artillery to use the pass. The Simplon Tunnel was built beneath the vicinity of the pass in the early 20th century to carry rail traffic between the two countries.

We would like to thank Michiel Jonker for confirming the attribution of the present lot.

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