Lot 1525 Rα

This particularly fine painting by Andreas Schelfhout from a South German private collection is an appealing new discovery, and presents further proof of his importance as one of the best representatives of the Dutch romantics.
The painting shows the beach of Scheveningen, a motif that was also often depicted by the painters of the "golden age". However, Schelfhout here shifts the emphasis away from a classical panorama towards the suggestive power of the moment: The sunday mood of the staffage, the sunny spring weather despite the heavy and brilliantly painted clouds, reflections on the still water and long noonday shadows. Characteristic of the Dutch romantic movement is the reception and continuation of national artistic tradition, with a profoundly patriotic connotation (cf. Benno Tempel: Die Romantik in den Niederlanden, in: Die Sammlung Rademakers, Exhibition catalogue The Hague, Leuven and Kleve 2011).
Despite his less than gentlemanly manners, Andreas Schelfhout was a close aquaintance of Willem III and Queen Sofie, and died a celebrated personality at the age of 83. His works can today be found in numerous museums and private collections.

We would like to thank Christian Lucht M.A., The Hague, for confirming the authenticity of this work from a photograph.