Petrus van Schendel

Sale New York (Sotheby's), 29 May 1980, lot 238
Richard Green, London
Private collection, Canada

The panel is straight and solid. A few very minor retouches along the edges due to frame abrasion. This work is in excellent condition, set in a nice gilded frame.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In the 19th century, Petrus van Schendel acquired great fame with his representations of candlelight scenes. The artist brilliantly employed the ever changing quality of light to reveal the world of the night. Van Schendel is perhaps best recognized for paintings such as this intimate night market, where light sources of various strengths (the brilliant candle on the forefront and two light sources on market stalls in the back) spotlight the scene. The moonlight allows the distinct architecture of the houses on the Groenmarkt to emerge from the darkness.

In the present lot, three central figures are assembled around a wooden table, on which the vegetables are arranged. The nubby texture of the watermelon, the earthy orange of the carrots and the fresh green and white of the leeks are painted brilliantly. In front of the lady to the right are further large baskets containing cabbages, leeks and carrots, defined by the strong light of the candle on the table, casting deep shadows. The single candle provides the majority of the illumination, gently lighting the faces and the clothing of the three figures. The scene is predominantly populated by women, typically the most frequent market visitors, dressed in the costumes of maids, cooks, market visitors and other working women. In the present lot Van Schendel manages to characterize the interaction between the three figures wonderfully. The lady visiting the market stall, beautifully painted, is talking to the seller, making gentle gestures with her arms. They seem to be negotiating about the price of the onions that the seller holds in her left hand. The man in the back is attentively following the discussions, interested to find out more about the prices of the goods, but clearly also impressed by the beauty of the young girl. In the 19th century electric lights were already used widely in the larger cities, thus Van Schendel's candle-lit market scenes cast back nostalgically to the earlier days, rather than depicting 19th century reality.   

In the wonderful detailed depiction and the strong composition, focussing on the interplay between these three figures, the present lot stands out as a masterpiece in the oeuvre of the artist.

The present lot will be recorded by Mr. J.M.M. de Meere under number OG/62. Mr. de Meere dates this painting around 1862.