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ADRIANUS JOHANNES GROENEWEGEN (DUTCH, 1874-1963) ANTIQUE PAINTING
Milking Time, Signed lower right "A J Groenewegen"
Item # 1401SBP24PQ
This is a fine work in oil on canvas by Adrianus Groenewegen, capturing the labor intensive work of a farmer and his wife during milking time. Groenewegen makes excellent use of the space, capturing a somewhat large group of six cows with other animals resting in the far background, these before a small body of water beneath a vast and expansive sky, the horizon broken only by the scattering of trees and foliage to the right of the scene. A somewhat late arrival to the Hague School of painters, Adrianus Groenewegen quickly made his mark in the field of Romantic painters by focusing heavily on farming scenes, particularly those featuring cattle and farmers at work. Much of the body of his work is executed in watercolor, a form highly popular with English and American collectors, but his finest examples are without exception executed in oil.
Perhaps what makes this scene so successful is the use of broad and soft brush work, removing it from a stark and perfect reality and inserting a certain warmth patrons of the day sought in this nostalgic form. Clients for these works were often trapped in the fast-paced industry of the growing urban centers of late nineteenth century Europe and longed for a more simple life and era. By creating an unnatural contrast in the grasses, a warm sepia in the waters and boundless cheery skies, Groenewegen left patrons with a perfect vision to ponder upon and yearn for while reality only grew more industrialized and complex.
Professionally conserved at some point in the last thirty years, this is an absolutely stunning work for anyone passionate about the Dutch schools of animaliers or of nineteenth century works of art. It will certainly become a treasured heirloom to be deeply enjoyed for a lifetime.
Measurements: [framed] 35 1/8" wide x 27 3/4" high; [canvas] 23 3/8" wide x 15 1/2" high
Condition Report:
- Relined. Surface dirty and would be brighter and more vibrant if professionally cleaned; tiny spot of flaking in two spots upper-left quadrant; varnish in lower-right quadrant a bit matte (rectangle around signature); very light craquelure across surface in a rather attractive way.
- [UNDER UV] professionally conserved at one point in the last thirty years; almost full upper edge and the sky along the left edge are overpainted, all isolated to the sky and not in any detailed area; figures are untouched; tiny spots of touch up in trees; one 1/4" sphere of touch up in low-mid quadrant beside the water.
- [FRAME] frame with gesso loss at each corner, 2" gesso loss along bottom edge and loss to raised lower left corner; probably original or at least quite early to the painting. Overall a very attractive and well conserved work.
Please review all images in the slideshow for a full overview of condition.
