Adrianus Eversen Dutch, 1818-1897

Adrianus Eversen was born in 1818 in Amsterdam, where he lived and worked for almost his entire life. He started his apprenticeship as a pupil of Cornelis de Kruyff, who taught him the basics of townscape-painting. His technique was refined studying with Cornelis Springer, the acknowledged master of Dutch townviews in his days. The two painters would compete for patrons throughout their lives.

Where Springer would rather portray topographically correct city views, with a predilection for monumental and richly decorated 16th and 17th century architecture, Eversen painted mostly more modest buildings in cappriccio compositions. He did not always opt for the topografic subject but favoured the expression of atmosphere and human interest in a town. The anecdotal element and the effect of sunlight and shadows on buildings play leading roles in his works. With this he earned great fame. He was highly regarded during his lifetime and his work was collected by patrons in Holland, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain. Thanks to the English collector John Sheepshanks, who acquired several of his paintings, Eversen's work can today even be seen in London's Victoria and Albert Museum.   

The current lot is an excellent example of Eversen's balanced, mature style. Springer's influence is clearly visible in the meticulous portrayal of the architecture and playful effect of sunlight and shadow. The emphasis is on beauty: that of the 17th century gabled houses, the elegant ladies and the soft play of light through leafy trees and on cobbled streets. It is an idealised town, with a serene, harmonious atmosphere, depicting people in various scenes. In this painting it is clear to see why his town views, with their sensitive record of daily Dutch life in the 19th century, were -and still are- so very sought after.