Additional Images

Provenance:

Private Collection, Montreal

Note:

Focusing his gaze on marine subjects – particularly those centred around the Dutch coast – Hermanus Koekkoek the Elder was inspired by the maritime paintings of the Dutch Golden Age. Koekkoek paid great attention to the components of his subjects, ensuring all naval features were accurate and that the ship was well situated amongst the waves. Like much of the artist’s work, On the Scheldt is both finely detailed and powerfully emotive. Of considerable commercial and strategic importance, the Scheldt river flows through France, Belgium, and the southwestern part of the Netherlands, with its mouth located at the North Sea.

Koekkoek is part of one of the most celebrated artistic dynasties of Dutch 19th century painting, being the youngest of four sons born to painter and draughtsman Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek. Koekkoek’s eldest brother Barend Cornelis Koekkoek was a celebrated painter of landscapes–perhaps the most famous artist in the family. Koekkoek in turn had four sons, all of whom became successful painters.

Koekkoek’s work is held by museums including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands; the Maritshuis in The Hague, Netherlands; the Mappin Art Gallery in Sheffield, England; and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.