- 218
Barend Cornelis Koekkoek
Description
- Barend Cornelis Koekkoek
- figures near a farmstead on a wintry day
- signed an dated 1825 l.r.
- oil on canvas
- 48 by 61 cm.
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."
Catalogue Note
Barend Cornelis Koekkoek was raised in a stimulating artistic environment. His father Johannes Hermanus was a well known marine painter, from whom he would receive his earliest tuition. Two brothers of B.C. Koekkoek, Marinus Adrianus and Hermanus, also became famous painters: the first as a talented landscapist, the latter as one of the very best marine painters of his time.
In 1817 Barend Cornelis Koekkoek enrolled at the Academy in Middelburg, the town where he was born, receiving lessons from Abraham Krayestein. After his move to Amsterdam in 1822, Koekkoek studied for four years at the Royal Academy of Visual Arts under Jan Willem Pieneman and the landscapist Jean Auguste Daiwaille, whose sister Koekkoek would marry in 1833.
Already in these early years it was quite clear that B.C. Koekkoek's strength lay in landscape painting. A two years stay in the rural surroundings of Hilversum, housing a group of cattle painters and landscapists, strengthened this decision. His unique talents did not remain unnoticed and the Amsterdam art society Felix Meritis awarded one of his landscapes with a gold medal in 1829.
The present lot is one of Koekkoek's earliest winter landscapes, which he painted when he was only 22 years old. In this wonderful picture one recognises the hand of the master.The balanced composition, the incredible wealth of detail and the subtle nuances of light and shaded areas are characteristics elements of Koekkoek's romanticism. The figures on the foreground are extremely well painted and continue a tradition established by Jan Both and Nicolaes Berchem, seventeenth century artists Koekkoek admired.
The present lot was always remained in private hands and was discovered only recently. It is a rare and unique example of his early winter landscapes.
Mr. Guido de Werd has kindly confirmed the authenticity of this lot on the basis of a photograph.