Bernardus Johannes Blommers

There are 5 retouches in the sky, retouches in the upper right and upper left corner. Very well restored, invisible to the naked eye. Unexamined out of frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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."

The present lot is one of the earliest beach scenes of Blommers. It depicts fishermen mending nets on the beach of Scheveningen, which was near The Hague, the town where the artist lived. Blommers was only 20 years old when he painted this watercolour and had joined the Hague Academy two years before. In 1865 he exhibited for the first time at the Living Masters exhibition in Amsterdam, where he submitted a fisherman's interior in Scheveningen. This debut was applauded in the Kunstkronijk, praising his quest for 'truthfulness' and the use of strong colours and effects. Blommers' first steps as a painter of the fishing genre - for which he would become most famous - also brought him in contact with Jozef Israels, with whom he became life-long friends.