Aert Schouman

With C.G. Boerner, Dusseldorf, by 1984;
sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 12 November 1990, lot 183

J.M. Kilian, The Paintings of Karel du Jardin 1626-1678, Catalogue Raisonné, Amsterdam 2005, p. 136, under no. 17

Hinge mounted. There is some slight rubbing to the sheet throughout, resulting in small losses of gouache in places. Otherwise in good condition with the image strong. Sold in a modern giltwood frame.
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Like lots 201-202, the present work is a fine example of the tradition in 18th-century Dutch art for making watercolour copies after earlier paintings, a technique that Schouman evidently mastered and looked to exploit commercially.

Here, Schouman takes his composition from Karel du Jardin’s painting of circa 1665, in the Staatliche Gemäldegalerie, Kassel.¹  The scene centres on a guitar playing, Scaramouche-like figure who entertains two locals, while next to him two children, one of whom is dressed as Harlequin, play with a dog.

1. Kilian, Loc. cit.