Cornelis Springer 1817-1891

Collection G.J. Schouten, Amsterdam. Acquired directly from the painter, 28 April 1866 for Dfl. 300,-
Collection J.D. Dreijer, Bremen, acquired on 7 September 1866 for Dfl. 365,-

W. Laanstra, H.C. de Bruijn, Dr. J. H.A. Ringeling, Cornelis Springer (1817-1891), Utrecht 1984. no. 66-4 illustrated in colour on p. 151
J. Woldring, Hollandse Romantiek. Schilders van het dagelijkse leven in de 19de eeuw, Alkmaar 2001, p. 106, illustrated in colour

The panel is solid and straight. A vertical retouched (ca. 6 cm.) scratch in the centre of the sky above the tree. Some very minor retouches in the tree. Two retouches along the right edge due to frame damage. Otherwise this lot is in fine condition.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cornelis Springer was one of the most reputed painters of his time. Up to this day, his leading role as a painter of townscapes remains unchallenged. He was born in 1817 in a family of carpenters and building contractors. From his elder brother Hendrik, active as an architect, he learnt the basics of architectural drawing and perspective, from which he benefited his entire career. After his studies at the Amsterdam Academy, Springer became a pupil of Kaspar Karsen. Like his teacher, he painted fantasised town views (capriccio's) in the early part of his career. From the mid-1850's onwards he started to paint topographically accurate views, realising that these were much more in demand.  Although Springer didn't eschew to embellish the arrangement of his town views, his  paintings reflect the actual situation fairly accurately, portraying daily life in a Dutch town in an imaginative way. 

From 1864 onwards, the town of Enkhuizen became an important source of inspiration to the artist. During a period of almost 20 years he returned there regularly, sometimes staying there for a longer period. No wonder that a large part of his oeuvre is devoted to the town of Enkhuizen, which he admired for the architectural richness and picturesque spots. He particularly liked the Zuiderspui, Westerstraat and Havendijk, places he painted many times. The present lot is a lesser known part of the town, which he chose for its  picturesque qualities: the small bridge, the boating figures and the beautifully depicted houses near the canal. Today the location is better known as the Staaleversgracht,  near the Vijzelstraat. 

In Enkhuizen, Springer formed part of a lively artistic environment, as shown on a photograph, were we see the artist (lying on the ground) together with the brothers Albert and Jozef Neuhuys (both with high hats) and the Enkhuizer painter Geert de Vries (second to the left).   

The present lot was sold by the artist to G.J. Schouten for 300 Dutch guilders. A substantial amount, given the fact that in 1866 an average yearly income yielded no more than 85 guilders. In the masterful distribution of sunlit and shaded areas and the incredible wealth of detail, it is a wonderful example of Springer's unique talent. 

A handwritten label with the artist's seals on the reverse reads: Le soussigné declare par ci que ce tableau representant Une vue dans la ville d'Enkhuijzen (Provence de la Hollande Septentrionale, Pays Bas) est peint par lui. Amsterdam le 7 Septembre 1866, C. Springer