The sale, which also comprised 19th century and Modern and Contemporary sections, saw keen prices throughout the day – an optimistic kick-off for the new Dutch auction season, despite the frosty economic climate.
Christie’s Francine Wolterbeek pointed out that “the topographical works attracted attention from private collectors from all over – not just the Netherlands but also its immediate neighbours.”
The sale was led by Revue Dance at the Scala Theatre, The Hague. a 203/4in by 2ft 31/2in (53 x 70cm) oil on canvas by Dutch Impressionist Isaac Israels (1865-1934). With its warm golden colours and free brushwork, this had obvious commercial appeal and sold to Dutch trade at €35,000 (£21,600) against a €14,000-22,000 estimate.
This was followed by one of the topographical highlights: Johannes Franciscus Spohler’s (1853–1894) 101/2in by 81/2in (26.5 x 21.5cm) panel of the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam, captured long before the Red Light District encroached upon the area. This nostalgic view went at €22,000 (£13,580) – double low estimate – to a UK dealer.
On a day of apparently low estimates a Dutch private buyer went to €16,000 (£9875) for Charles Leickert’s (1816-1907) Moonlit Landscape with Skaters, 101/4in by 133/4in (26 x 35cm), estimated at €3600-5000.
Low estimates and bullish prices were very much the order of the day. Other topographical highlights included Early Morning: Boats on a Canal, by Cornelis Vreedenburgh (1880–1946) and an oil on plywood Queen’s Day on Noordeinde in the Hague by Jan Cossaar (1874–1966).
Vreedenburgh’s 18in (45cm) square work sold to the Dutch trade at a near double-estimate €13,000 (£80,250) and the Jan Cossar work more than trebled hopes at €12,000 (£7410) selling to a Dutch private buyer.
Exchange rate £1 = €1.62
Scene set for Dutch topography
HOLLAND: IN honour of the Netherlands’ long tradition of landscapes and town scenes Christie’s Amsterdam (buyer’s premium 20.825 per cent) had a topographical theme to its pictures sale on January 22.
