Willem Roelofs

Amsterdam 1822-1897 Berchem (Belgium)
Behind the farm, oil on panel 22.1 x 37.7 cm, signed l.r. and painted ca. 1855-1860

provenance: acquired directly from the artist by jhr. mr. L.C.J.A. van Meeuwen (1844-1927), 's-Hertogenbosch, and subsequently passed into the possession of his daughter Maria van Lanschot-van Meeuwen, Helvoirt, by inheritance.

literature: exh.cat., The Hague, Pulchri Studio, 'Eere-Tentoonstelling Willem Roelofs', 1907, cat.nr. 38; 100 Lichtdrukken naar zijn werken. Vertegenwoordigd op de Eere-Tentoonstelling in 'Pulchri Studio', October 1907 ('Willem Roelofs. 100 Collotypes after his works. Represented at the Honorary Exhibition in 'Pulchri Studio', October 1907', ​​Amsterdam 1909), cat.nr. 22 (with ill.).

exhibitions: The Hague, Pulchri Studio, 'Honorary Exhibition Willem Roelofs', Oct. 1907; Woerden, City Museum Woerden, 'Boeren van toen. De Haagse School in het Groene Hart rond 1900' (Farmers of yesteryear. The Hague School in the Green Heart around 1900)', June 8-Nov. 10, 2019.

Willem Roelofs is regarded as the major forerunner of the Hague School. He painted woodland scenes and extensive landscapes in which he unerringly conveys the openness and flatness of the Dutch polder land with its dykes and cattle under a cloudy sky. Influenced by the French School of Barbizon, he often took himself off to paint directly from nature. In so doing, he was able to capture in a single free brushstroke the constantly changing effect of light and shadow on the landscape. For the greater part of his life he lived in Brussels, but often returned to the Netherlands to paint and gain inspiration.

insurance value: € 30,000.-
starting bid: € 16,000.-