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Dutch estuary or flood scene

Maker

(artist)
1596-1656

Title

Date of Production

1653

Medium

black chalk, grey wash, with black and red chalk framing lines

Dimensions

Height: 12.1 cm
Width: 20.6 cm

Accession Number

D.1952.RW.900

Mode of Acquisition

Robert Clermont Witt, bequest, 1952

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

Not currently on display

Keywords

Label Text

The subject matter of this drawing is unusual, but understandable for an artist from the Netherlands, since nowhere else in Europe is there such a precarious balance between earth and water. The technique of the drawing emphasises the blurred divisions between the land and the flood waters. However, the inundation is not shown as catastrophic; life carries on calmly. While flooding causes damage to property it also brings benefits in the increased fertility of the earth.

Provenance

E. Parsons & Sons (London); purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), L.2228b, n.d. (£10.7); Witt Bequest 1952

Exhibition History

Dutch drawings from the Witt Collection: Part 1: Landscape, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 1972 (Jan.-Mar.)

Landscapes in the Making: Dutch & Flemish 16-17th Century Drawings from the Courtauld Gallery, Tobu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, 03/11/2000-24/12/2000; Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art, Shizuoka, 02/02/2001-11/03/2001; Koriyama City Museum of Art, Koriyama, 17/03/2001-15/04/2001

The Northern Landscape: Flemish, Dutch and British Drawings from the Courtauld Collections, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 03/09/1986-30/11/1986; The Drawing Center, New York, 08/04/1986-26/07/1986 ...More

Master Drawings of the 17th century from the Witt Collection, Art Gallery of South Australia, Festival Exhibitions, Adelaide, 1968 ...Less

Literature

The Northern Landscape: Flemish, Dutch and British Drawings from the Courtauld Collections, Courtauld Gallery, London, 1986
cat. no. 41
Illus. p. 107

Dutch drawings from the Witt Collection: Part 1: Landscape, Courtauld Gallery, London, January - March 1972
cat. no. 15

Inscriptions

Watermark: Watermark: centre: posthorn in shield (see tracing in file; no exact match but same shape as Heawood 2665-2702, English, mid-to-late 17th century).

Inscription: Recto: lower right edge, black chalk, signed and dated by the artist: "IG 1653". Verso: lower centre edge, graphite, Witt number: "900 Goyen".

Collector's mark: Verso: lower right corner, stamped in black ink: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).

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