Hermanus Koekkoek I
Choppy Waters on the Oosterschelde near Haemstede
Oil on canvas. 62 x 83 cm.
Signed and dated lower right: H Koekkoek 1845.
Hermanus Koekkoek the Elder was almost 12 years younger than his famous brother B. C. Koekkoek and, after the death of his brother Johannes, followed in the footsteps of his father Johannes Hermanus (1778-1851) as a marine painter. Continuing the tradition of the famous family of painters, he was especially praised for his river landscapes and seascapes, in which he specialised. At the beginning of his career, Hermanus painted mainly stormy seascapes, which reveal the influence of well-known marine painters of his time such as Johannes Christian Schotel (1787-1883). It is in these paintings that his painterly qualities come into their own, as the present picture testifies. The stormy atmosphere with waves breaking on the shore is expressed with luminous colour. The precision in detail and execution, the way the light is reflected on the waves and the skilful execution of the figures show Koekkoek at the height of his creative powers.
Provenance
With Gallery Frost & Reed, London. - The estate of Niel Rimington (1928-2009) of Fronthill Old Abbey, Wiltshire; His sale, Christie's, London, 7 July 2010, lot 279, where acquired.
Literature
Guido de Werd: A Romantic Journey: Masterpieces from the Rademakers Collection, Eindhoven, 2014, p. 168, no.45 (69).
Exhibitions
Luxemburg, Musée National d'Histoire et d'Art / 's-Hertogenbosch, Het Nordbrabants Museum: A Romantic Journey, 3 April 2014 - 25 January 2015, no. 45 (69).