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"CANAL VIEW OF ENKHUIZEN WITH THE ZUIDERKERK" BY PETRUS GERARDUS VERTIN (DUTCH, 1819-1893)
Signed "P.G. Vertin f. '56" lower left; in oil on canvas
Item # 1401LPP28PE
Capturing one of the most memorable scenes of Enkhuizen, this nostalgic painting by Petrus (Pieter) Gerardus Vertin details a street scene of the aged village beside a canal with the Zuiderkerk projecting prominently into the horizon. Warm tones permeate this romantic work, Vertin working in high contrast pigments to provide an emotional context to the peaceful scene. Typical of his work, it is highly detailed and full of life; while he certainly leverages shadows and the distinction between light and dark, his efforts are clearly optimistic and leave the viewer wishing to peer more deeply into these shadows. Every stone, crack in the fencing, branch of tree and clay shingle is depicted with incredible realism, an attention to detail that has always set his works apart from the majority of the Dutch School.
Petrus Gerardus Vertin, also known as Pieter, was born in The Hague in 1819 and spent most of his life in Amsterdam. He studied under Bartholomeus Johannes Van Hove, and debuted at The Hague in 1841, exhibiting also in Amsterdam and Antwerp. Working somewhat in the past, as a nineteenth century artist his work followed the tradition of the seventeenth century Dutch School, focusing in a meticulous manner on details of the countryside, capturing the dress and customs of the people in provincial and urban environments. He died in Amsterdam in 1893. Today his works remain preserved in museum collections worldwide, though naturally his works are particularly well represented in museums throughout Holland.
Measurements: [frame] 33" x 26"; [canvas] 28" x 21 1/8"
Condition Report:
Professionally conserved: relined on new stretchers in a contemporary frame; cleaned in the last decade, colors very vibrant. Light craquelure dancing across entire surface. [UNDER UV] Scattered touch ups in the sky (top-mid quadrant), light touch ups in sky (top right corner) - also visible to the eye; small vertical touch up in mid-left quadrant (above 2nd window), other minor scattered touch ups; round touch up low-mid quadrant (beneath mother and boy); some scattered green fluorescence throughout from the somewhat recent varnish.