Willem Witsen

Kunsthandel E.J. van Wisselingh & Co, Amsterdam, inv.no. 1955 and 2513
Collection Mr. C.G.Vattier-Kraane, Amsterdam

Pittsburgh, Carnegie Institute, International Exhibition
Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum, Tentoonstelling van Nederlandsche Beeldende Kunsten. 1898 Regeeringsjubileum 1923, 1923
Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum, Witsen en zijn vriendenkring, 19 December 1947-10 January 1948, no.14

Mr. H.F.W. Jeltes, 'De collectie Vattier Kraane', Elsevier's Geïllustreerd Maanschrift, 1922, pp. 73-76
N. van Harpen, Willem Witsen 1860-1923, Amsterdam 1924, p. 29, no. 3, plate 3 
Exh.cat. Witsen en zijn vriendenkring, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam 1948, cat.no. 14

The canvas has been relined. Some craquelure visible. Very minor filled-in craquelure in the roof of the church. Otherwise this work is in good 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."

Together with his life-long friend G.H. Breitner, Willem Witsen was one of the leading painters of Amsterdam town views. Whereas Breitner depicted modern times in a powerful, almost visionary way, Witsen meditated on a long forgotten past. Figures rarely appear in his serene town views, while Breitner saw the human element as essential to his ambitious compositions. In that sense both artists complemented each other in their fascination for the city of Amsterdam. Breitner preferred the busy side, the centres of much activity, while Witsen searched his inspiration in the more quiet and serene parts of the city, where the atmosphere of the seventeenth century seemed to linger on in the canals with their quiet waters and wonderful gabled houses. 

The present lot shows the Brouwergracht seen from the Korte Prinsengracht near the Papiermolensluis. The bridge is the Lekkeresluis, connecting the Brouwersgracht with the Prinsengracht. On the right side we see the houses of Prinsengracht 2-14, in the back the tower of the Noorderkerk.

In 1903-1904 Witsen executed an etching with aquatint of the same view (Van Wisselingh no. 432), with the image mirrored (see illustration). Compare J. Reynaerts, M. Peters a.o., Willem Witsen. Schilderijen, tekeningen, prenten, foto's, 1860-1923, Bussum 2003, no. 170 on p. 213.