• Old Masters & 19th century Art auction at Christies

    Sale 3055

    Old Masters & 19th century Art - (including Dutch Impressionism)

    Amsterdam

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    23 - 24 June 2015

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    • Willem Bastiaan Tholen (Amster
    Lot 269

    Willem Bastiaan Tholen (Amsterdam 1860-1931 The Hague)

    In de Scheveningsche Boschjes: the playground in the dunes of Scheveningen

    Price realised

    EUR 55,500

    Estimate

    EUR 25,000 - EUR 35,000

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    Willem Bastiaan Tholen (Amsterdam 1860-1931 The Hague)
    In de Scheveningsche Boschjes: the playground in the dunes of Scheveningen
    signed 'WB. Tholen' (lower left); and signed again and inscribed with title 'tegenover de Witte brug / Den Haag / In de Scheveningsche Boschjes' (on a label attached to the reverse)
    oil on canvas
    81.5 x 110.5 cm.
    Painted circa 1890.

    Provenance

    In possession of the family of the present owners since circa 1950.

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    Lot Essay

    In 1890 Tholen moved with his wife into the Kanaalvilla near de Witte Brug, situated along the canal running from The Hague to Scheveningen. Here they lived together with the artist Paul Arntzenius (1883-1965), his wife and their six children. During this period Tholen often worked in the Scheveningsche Boschjes, an area close to his home. The Boschjes were a popular place for families and children to visit. In the present lot Tholen depicted the activities of the women relaxing in the sun, whilst the children play in the sand. There is a certain light, moving and playful character in which Tholen depicts his subjects. Similarities to the work of the Amsterdam Impressionists are visible in style and execution, the rapid treatment of brightly coloured paint produces an impressionistic result. The busy children's playground in this picturesque setting is partly shaded from the sun by old trees that create a beautiful dappled effect where the sunlight hits the sand and the playing children.

    Another work by Tholen with a similar composition is in the collection of the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, titled Kinderspeelplaats (Scheveningse Boschjes), (on paper, 445 x 595 mm, where dated 1888, inv. no. A2336). A few other drawings and a small oil sketch of this subject are known, however the present lot is the only known painting which is on such a large canvas and so detailed.

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