Dutch school (XX) - Zeilschepen op kalm water

Sailing ships on calm water. Oil on canvas. Very large artwork. Size including frame 88x120 centimeters. The artwork and the frame are in good condition. The painting is signed lower left with a monogram H? K. It is presumed the artwork was painted in the late first half of the 20th century.

Atmospheric maritime oil painting from the 20th century, depicting a group of traditional sailing ships on tranquil water under an impressive Dutch cloudscape. The ships are spread across the almost mirror-smooth water, where the vertical masts form a beautiful counterpoint to the broad horizon. Notably, the reflections of the sails and hulls are particularly attractively painted and give the work a strong sense of depth and a tranquil atmosphere. Remarkable is the fine and somewhat subdued color palette. Reddish-brown, ochre-yellow and greenish sails form warm accents against the soft blue-gray tones of sky and water. The low horizon leaves ample space for the clouds, which are rendered with a loose, impressionistic touch. The painting method is spontaneous and precise. At close range the individual, sometimes thickly applied brushstrokes are clearly visible, while from a distance they merge into a convincing atmospheric whole. Particularly in the water long vertical strokes have been used to suggest the reflections of masts and sails. The work aligns with the tradition of Dutch impressionist marine and Zuiderzee painting from the first half to the mid-20th century, in which traditional fishing and sailing ships were a favored subject. The painting is signed lower left, but the signature has not yet been identified with certainty. A detail photo of the signature is therefore preferably included with the images.