Philips Wouwermans (1619-1668), Follower of - Paardenvijver bij een vesting - NO RESERVE

Horse Pond by a Fortress – Philips Wouwermans (1619–1668), follower, 17th century

Oil painting on canvas, monogrammed PW and dated 1666 (?)
Double-layered cloth, retouches visible under UV, small spots of paint loss, frame showing signs of aging and missing gilding.
Provenance: private collection, registered with the RKD under numbers 2F189157 and 2F189158.

Introduction

The offered painting, attributed to a follower of Philips Wouwermans, depicts a refined horse scene in the tradition of Dutch 17th-century genre painting. Philips Wouwermans, one of the most celebrated horse painters of the Golden Age, gained great fame with his narrative compositions in which landscapes, hunting scenes, and everyday scenes were populated by riders and horses. His work was particularly popular among collectors both domestically and abroad and was frequently copied and imitated during his lifetime, illustrating the influence and status of his oeuvre.

Description of the work

The scene takes place among the ruins of a fortress wall, where a group of figures and riders gather around a shallow pond. At the center is a man on a white horse with a child behind him, surrounded by riders, horses drinking, and women engaged in daily tasks by the water. To the left in the background, ships and a river city can be seen, making the painting a lively interplay of human and animal activity in a landscape full of architectural references. The composition is carefully constructed, with the white horse as the visual focal point, a classic motif in Wouwermans’s oeuvre.

Technique and color palette

The painting is executed in oil paint on canvas, later doubled for conservation. The artist uses a warm and harmonious color palette with earth tones, combined with light accents that highlight the figures and especially the central horse against the background. The paint application shows refined brushwork, with attention to both the anatomy of the horses and the subtle shading in the sky. Under UV light, retouches are visible, including in the sky and some figures, indicating earlier restorations.

Style and art historical context

Philips Wouwermans was trained in Haarlem and developed into one of the most influential painters of horse scenes in the 17th century. His work was appreciated for its elegant compositions, varied horse poses, and the combination of realism with narrative richness. Within the broader art movement, this work belongs to Dutch Baroque, which focused on attention to detail and a lively depiction of everyday life. The painting aligns with contemporaries such as Aelbert Cuyp and Esaias van de Velde, while internationally, it shares affinities with artists like Adam Frans van der Meulen and Salvator Rosa.

Condition

The canvas has been doubled and shows small spots of paint loss, mainly in the middle left. Under UV light, retouches are visible, especially in the sky and around the contours of some figures. The craquelure is consistent with age and forms a fitting patina for a 17th-century work. The frame, rich but aged, shows loss of gilding and slight signs of use.

Conclusion

Horse Pond near a Fortress is a compelling example of the influence of Philips Wouwermans, in which the beloved horse scenes of the Golden Age are brought back to life. The careful composition, the refined depiction of horses and figures, and the clear anchoring in the tradition of Dutch Baroque make this painting an attractive collector's item. With documented registration at the RKD, this work is a valuable addition to any collection and is offered at this auction without a minimum price.

The work 'Paardenvijver bij een vesting' is in a gilded frame with plaster ornaments.

Total dimensions: 58.5x68.5cm
Canvas dimensions: 41x51cm

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