Petrus van Schendel

Baron Van Boetzelaer, Utrecht (in 1840)
Art Gallery Nystad, Lochem, Netherlands (in 1946)
Private Collection, Europe (until circa 1985)

Rotterdam, De Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters, 1840

The following condition report was kindly provided by Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. This large and impressive painting on wood is un-reinforced on the reverse. The panel is completely secure and flat. The paint layer is stable and clean, and if the varnish were to be freshened slightly, the picture could be hung as is. This panel is in remarkably good condition. There do not appear to be any restorations visible either to the naked eye or under ultraviolet light. There may be a small scuff of frame abrasion around the edges which has been retouched, yet overall this picture is in lovely and noteworthy condition.
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Petrus van Schendel's nocturnal market scenes provided him with the ideal setting to render striking contrasts of light for which he was most celebrated.  His exploration of the subtle yet theatrical effects of candle and lamplight on the human face and body was clearly influenced by the work of Gerrit Dou.  This intense focus upon the effects of moonlight and candlelight in his paintings led him to be nicknamed Monsieur Chandelle.  The multitude of light sources in Moonlit Market, at least nine in total, sets this monumental work apart from similar subjects within the artist's oeuvre.

Dr. Jan de Meere identifies the location of the present work as the Groenmarkt (Green Market) in the Hague seen from the direction of the Westeinde (West End).  The building at the right is the St. Nicolaaskapel (St. Nicolas Chapel).  At the time of The NIght Market's completion, the chapel was no longer used for religious ceremonies but served as the meat market.  In the distance the tower of the old town hall is visble.  Many of the vendors and market-goers of the present work reappear in other compositions by van Schendel in 1840 and 1841.

On March 14, 1840, Van Schendel wrote "Finished the painting, representing the vegetable market of The Hague by candle light, which I started in the month of November 1839, from the beginning of the month or first week and is ordered by the Baron Van Boetzelaer in Utrecht for the amount of 300 guilders, but is consdered by me to be worth 1000 guilders (as translated from the Dutch by Dr. de Meere).  Letting the work go for a lesser price was a necessary choice for the artist.  Given the size of his family (married three times the artist had twelve surviving children) van Schendel could rarely afford to negotiate prices.