| European Watercolors — Herman Henstenburgh - Still-life Study |
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Herman Henstenburgh - Still-life Study |
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Signed, Lower Left: H. Henstenburgh fecit. Medium: Watercolors on vellum. Dimensions: 13 7/8 x 11 1/3 inches Herman Henstenburgh (1667-1726) was a pupil of Johannes Bronckhorst, a fellow native of Hoorn, who also instructed him in his secondary craft of baking. According to cotemporary accounts, Henstenburgh started out by depicting birds and landscapes, in the manner of his teacher, and then broadened his repertoire to include flower and fruit pieces, and occasional woodland still-lifes. This remarkable watercolor is the best tradition of Dutch still-life painting, replete with trompe l’oeil effects and startlingly realistic details, including dewdrops, a fly, a snail and a butterfly. Dated works by Henstenburgh are extremely rare, and the date on this piece is of particular significance. The date of 1689 throws into question the preciously accepted notion that still-life compositions of this type only appeared in the Henstenburgh’s work after about 1695. This important and finely rendered still-life is a significant piece by one of the finest Dutch flower painters. |
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