Hendrik Martensz. Sorgh (1610-1670), After - Rotterdam Fish Market

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This beautifully crafted, museum-quality oil painting on panel is a highly accomplished and atmospheric copy after a genre scene by Hendrik Martenszoon Sorgh, one of the distinguished painters of the Dutch Golden Age.

The composition depicts a lively quayside fish market—an archetypal subject for Sorgh, who excelled at portraying the rhythms of daily life and the quiet dignity of working people. A woman in traditional Dutch dress stands at left, while a seated fish-seller gestures animatedly toward her wares. A third figure—a man observing the exchange with an air of relaxed amusement—adds narrative charm to the scene. In the foreground, baskets brimming with freshly caught fish lead the eye toward the tranquil harbor beyond, where moored vessels, fishermen at work, and stepped-gable buildings complete the quintessential Dutch waterside tableau. A softly illuminated sky bathes the scene in gentle northern light.

Executed with subtlety and restraint, the brushwork and compositional balance echo Sorgh’s signature style: warm earth tones, carefully observed fabrics and textures, and a nuanced human presence that animates the everyday.

On the reverse of the frame is a period exhibition label inscribed “Kunstausstellung München Nr. 645,” suggesting that the painting was once included in a historical Munich art exhibition—a compelling provenance element that enhances both scholarly value and collector appeal.

Hendrik Martenszoon Sorgh (Rotterdam, c.1610–1670) trained under David Teniers the Younger and Willem Pieterszoon Buytewech, absorbing influences from both Flemish and Dutch genre traditions. His oeuvre encompasses kitchen and market interiors, domestic scenes, marine views, portraits, and historical subjects. His still lifes—particularly in kitchen settings—are noted for their richness and fine textural detail.
In 1659, Sorgh became headman of the Rotterdam Guild of St. Luke, reflecting his stature in the artistic community. Among his pupils were Jacobus Blauvoet, Abraham Diepraam, Cornelis Dorsman, Pieter Nijs, and Pieter Crijnse Volmarijn.
Sorgh married Adriaantje Hollaer in 1633, who would later gain renown through her portrait by Rembrandt—famously reproduced on the Dutch 100-guilder banknote from 1947 to 1950.

This work is not only a finely rendered homage to Sorgh’s artistry but also a testament to the enduring admiration for Golden Age genre painting during the 18th century. Its blend of historical fidelity, excellent condition, and documented exhibition history makes it a particularly desirable acquisition for collectors of Dutch school paintings and Old Master genre scenes.

⦿ Dimensions (approx.): 39 x 49 cm (artwork), 64 x 74 cm (incl. frame/total).
⦿ Condition: Exhibits an authentic patina of age (see pictures): old varnish.
⦿ Estimated Period: late 18th century, perhaps older.
⦿ Note: The antique frame is included as a gift and should be treated as such!
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