Frederik Marinus Kruseman

FREDERIK MARINUS KRUSEMAN (Haarlem, Netherlands, 1816- Saint-Gilles, Belgium, 1882).
"Summer Landscape with a Castle near the Coast," ca. 1851.
Oil on canvas.
Signed and dated.
Provenance: Mak van Waay Amsterdam 05-06-1973. Lot 156.
Private collection Belgium.
Measurements: 69 x 98,5 cm; 87 x 117,5 cm (frame).

The one we now bid on is a beautifully executed painting by Frederik Marinus Kruseman, showing the romantic sensibility that characterized much of 19th century Dutch art. It depicts an idyllic country scene centered on a picturesque chapel or small church with distinctive Dutch architecture. The building features a charming bell tower topped with a cross, warm terracotta-colored walls and characteristic stepped gables. The composition is masterfully balanced, with large, graceful trees framing the scene on either side, creating a natural vignette effect.

Kruseman demonstrates remarkable skill in his oil painting technique: he shows precise brushwork in architectural detail and foliage definition, subtle color modulation that creates atmospheric perspective, expert handling of light and shadow to create depth and dimensionality, and a gentle application of oil with careful blending, typical of 19th century Dutch painting traditions.

This work represents Kruseman's mature style, in which he combines the technical precision of the old Dutch masters with the romantic sensibility of his time. The painting would have appealed to 19th century collectors seeking nostalgic, idealized views of Dutch rural life.

On a biographical level, we know that Frederik Marinus Kruseman grew up in a family of artists. His father was a well-known portrait painter, and this early exposure to art laid the foundation for his own artistic development. From an early age, he showed a remarkable talent for painting, and his father encouraged him to develop his skills further. At the age of 19 Kruseman entered the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam, where he received his artistic training. During his studies he was inspired by the Romantic movement, which sought to express emotion and imagination in art. These influences would profoundly mark his later work. Kruseman made several trips to Europe, including Germany and Italy, where he was inspired by nature, architecture and historical landscapes. These travels contributed to the diversity of his work and provided him with new perspectives on the use of color and composition. In 1843, Kruseman made his debut at the Living Masters Exhibition in The Hague, which earned him recognition and appreciation for his artistic talent. He became a highly appreciated artist and his work was regularly exhibited at home and abroad. In addition to his painting activity, Kruseman also participated in the founding of the Haarlem Engraving Club in 1856, where artists met to explore the art of engraving. Today his work is preserved in the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, the Nijmeegs Museum de Commanderie van Sint Jan in Nijmege, the Netherlands, the Albert I Royal Library in Brussels, the Stedelijk Musea Kortrijk / Coutrai in Belgium, the Museum der Bildenden Künste in Leipzig, Germany, and the Hamburger Kunsthalle in Hamburg.