Cornelis Springer (Dutch painter) 1817 – 1891
The Town Hall of Bolsward, 1881
oil on panel
52 x 40 cm. (20.5 x 15.75 in.)
signed and dated ‘C Springer 1881’ (lower left); and authenticated (on a label attached to the reverse); and with the artist’s seals (on the reverse)
private collection
© photo Christie’s
Catalogue Note Christie’s
Cornelis Springer, the greatest Dutch architectural painter of the 19th Century, grew up in a family of architects and building contractors in Amsterdam. Initially Springer painted town views which followed the contemporary trend of idealising the past and Dutch national heritage. From the early 1850’s onwards Springer abandoned the fantasized element in his architecture and concentrated on existing topographical locations, following an increasing interest in topographically accurate subjects. From the 1850’s onwards Springer had reached such fame that he only worked on commission for private collectors and dealers; a patron would choose a composition on the basis of his drawings. A waiting list of two years in this period bears testimony to the great popularity of his work. Springer was a diligent worker who carefully recorded his studio activities and from 1852 he recorded all the sales of his paintings and watercolours. This preparatory material clearly illustrated how the artist developed this theme: after drawing a sketch on location, he subsequently executed a black and white chalk drawing in his studio with the measurements intended for his final oil painting.
The present lot is a fine example of Springer’s realistic representation of a city. Here he has depicted the beautifully decorated Renaissance style Old City Hall of Bolsward. Springer has combined the topographical accuracy with figures dressed in 17th century attire, creating an appearance of the Golden Age.
Displayed are all the qualities for which Springer is so admired: his stunningly realistic representation of architecture, the masterful play of strongly contrasting light and shadow, a detailed depiction of the historical gables and the variety of townspeople going about their daily business are enlightened by subtle, diffused light. These elements are brought together in a well-engineered and balanced composition, clearly illustrating the great virtuosity of the artist.
Cornelis Springer was one of the most accomplished Dutch painters of town views. His paintings are characterized by their topographical accuracy and an interest in rendering the effects of light. They are reminiscent of the earlier Dutch seventeenth and eighteenth century masters Jan van der Heyden (1637-1712) and Issac Ouwater (1750-1793). Springer’s subjects included views of Amsterdam, Alkmaar, Den Briel, Enkhuizen, Haarlem, Oudewater and Zwolle, as well as German towns.
Born in Amsterdam in 1817, Springer came from a family of building contractors. His brother Heindrik was a professional architect and he introduced Cornelis to the principles of perspective and architectural design which were to shape his favourite subject matter: townscapes. He studied at the Amsterdam Academy of Fine Arts under Jacobus van der Stok (1795-1874) and Herman Frederik Carel Ten Kate (1822-1891). He then continued his training under Kaspar Karsen between 1835-7. Karsen also specialized in townscapes. During his early career, Springer occasionally collaborated with Wouterus Verschuur (1812-1874), who painted the figures and horses in several of his landscapes.
Springer was a prolific painter, exhibiting regularly in Amsterdam and The Hague between 1834 and 1890. As a member of the Felix Meritis Society of Amsterdam, he was awarded a gold medal in 1847 and in 1865, he became a Knight of the Belgian Order. Among his pupils were Adrianus Eversen, Johan Adolph Rust and Johan Conrad Greive.
The work of Cornelis Springer is represented in many museums including the Gemeentmuseum, Arnhem, the Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, Rotterdam and the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
Source: Wikipedia