Albert Roelofs Dutch, 1877-1920

Acquired from the artist by Kunsthandel P.J. Zürcher, The Hague, 15 January 1907 for Dfl 650,-
H. van der Stok, The Hague, 1908
R.C.C. Roelofs, The Hague
Kunsthandel Pieter Scheen, The Hague
Sale Amsterdam,  (Christie's), A selection from Kunsthandel Pieter A. Scheen B.V., 24 April 2001, lot 212, illustrated on the cover

Amsterdam, Arti et Amicitiae, April-May 1907, no. 159
The Hague, Groepententoonstelling Pulchri Studio, June 1907
Amsterdam, Larensche Kunsthandel, January 1908
The Hague, Kunsthandel P.J. Zürcher, Tentoonstelling van werken van Albert Roelofs, 1-30 June 1909, no. 26
Brussels, Exposition Universelle et Internationale de Bruxelles, 1910, no. 108 (titled: 'Rêve d'avenir')
Haarlem, Frans Halsmuseum, De kunst van het moederschap, October-January 1982, no. 54, p. 44, ill.

P.A. Scheen, Lexicon Nederlandsce Beeldende Kunstenaars 1750-1880, The Hague 1981, ill. 635
L. Brandt Corstius, Cara Hollema, De kunst van het moederschap, Haarlem 1981, ill. 54, p.44
Jan Juffermans, 'Albert Roelofs: intimiteit met een gouden glans', Tableau,  4 (1982) no. 6, p. 553
Het Financieele Dagblad, 'Albert Roelofs en het Haagse milieu', 2 July 1982, ill.
Jan Juffermans, Albert Roelofs, The Hague 1982, p. 42, ill. and p. 99, no. 107 and no. 139, no. 47, p.198, ill.
Verkoopboek A.R., no. 107 and 139

The canvas has been relined. One very thin minor retouch above the head of the lady seated. Otherwise this work is in very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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."

Albert Roelofs, the son of the famous landscapist Willem Roelofs, spent a large part of his career in Belgium. His artistic development was heavily influenced by this, being more attracted to the southern exuberance than the restrained art of the Dutch (as exemplified by the then popular Hague School). He felt very much attracted to the art of Alfred Stevens, David Oyens and the experimental paintings of the Italian artist Antonio Mancini. Quite different to most of his contemporaries, Roelofs sought the seclusion of indoor scenes, in which women figure prominently. In that sense he shaped his own contemplative world.

The woman who is depicted in the present lot can be identified as the wife of the artist, Tjieke Bleckmann. She often modelled for him in this beautiful black and white dress, which is an example of their love for striking patterns and luxurious fabrics. Roelofs excelled in depicting the many nuances of the dress, as the present lot shows well. Tjieke can be seen wearing the same dress in Atelierjool, a painting that was sold in these rooms on 22 October 2002 (lot 201).

The present lot was executed in 1906 and is depicted on a photo of the artist's studio in The Hague (see illustration).