Hendrik Willem Mesdag Dutch, 1831-1915

The Hague, Pulchri Studio, sale exhibition, Hollandse en Franse Meesters der 19de en 20ste eeuw, 1976 illustrated

Mesdag had found his own niche among the painters of the Hague School. Naturally, there were more painters in this group, like Jacob Maris, Anton Mauve, J. H. Weissenbruch, Sadee and Blommers, who were inspired by the fishing business as it happened along the coast in those days. Mesdag, however, came up with a distinct recognisability. His ships and figures were well-defined without exaggerated detailing and were placed into an entourage of water and clouds, rendered in broad brushstrokes that still strikes as modern today. The style of painting is robust and impulsive, unhampered by an excessive care for perspective accuracy; Mesdag’s mastership resulted from atmosphere and mood.