catalog text
WILLEM JOANNES SCHÜTZ (GERMAN, 1854-1933) FISHING VESSELS AT HARBOR
Signed lower left W. J. Schütz 1896 (apparently), in oil on panel
Item # 804COR21
An exquisite little scene capturing a few well worn fishing vessels as they move across an almost perfectly still harbor, the reflections of the boats in the water are barely wavering as the beautifully detailed clouds disappear into the distance overhead. The near silhouette of the fisherman in the back of the vessel gives scale to the large overall size of the sailboat. Born in Middleburg, Germany on August 18th of 1854, Willem Joannes Scütz took up the tradition of his father and teacher, Johan Frederick Schütz, choosing to focus the majority of his work on seascape scenes with tranquil water and interesting vessels of the period. While many of his paintings have sold at Christies over the last few decades, but they are relatively infrequently found on the open market.
Literature: E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. XII, Gründ, 2006, p. 833
Measurements: 12" H x 16" W x 1" D [frame]; 10 1/4" H x 14 1/4" W [panel]
Condition Report:
Professionally conserved, surface cleaned and re-varnished. Frame is early but not original. Perhaps a few touch ups around extreme edges of painting, but surface is mostly free of any inpainting.