(-), Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek (Veere 1778 - 1851)...

Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek
(Veere 1778 - 1851)
Sailing in a Light Breeze
Signed on the pier lower right
Oil on panel, 34.4 x 47.5 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, the Netherlands
Note:
Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek was the head of an artistic family. His sons Barend Cornelis Koekkoek, Hermanus Koekkoek (1815-1882) and Marinus Adrianus Koekkoek (1807-1868) were all successful artists; the first two specialised in marine art, and Marinus was primarily a landscape painter. His grandson Johannes Hermanus Barend Koekkoek also became an artist.

Already around the age of twelve, Johannes Hermanus went to Middelburg to be apprenticed to the wallpaper painter Thomas Gaal (1739-1817). In addition, he attended classes at the Middelburg drawing academy in the evenings. His interest in drawing and painting ships and the sea was part of the prevailing painting tradition in watery Zeeland. Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek became one of the best marine painters of his time. With great talent and precision he drew and painted all sort of ships in a lively narrative. He was active between 1793 and 1851, and worked in Middelburg, Durgerdam, Amsterdam, Medemblik and Katwijk aan Zee.