Figures on a bridge by a Dutch canal

Willem Koekkoek was born in 1839 in Amsterdam and was the second son of the marine artist Hermanus Koekkoek senior (1815-1882). After being trained by his father, Willem specialized in townscapes. He was mainly praised for his elaborate Dutch town views enriched with numerous figures and predominately depicting a sunny day. Although he was a resident of Amsterdam like his father, he moved around in Holland often, living in The Hague in 1878 and in Utrecht from 1878 until he returned to Amsterdam in 1880. Finally he moved to Nieuwer-Amstel in 1885 where he lived until his death in 1895.

Koekkoek held his first exhibition in Leeuwarden in 1859 at the age of twenty. From that time on he frequently showed his work at various exhibitions in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. In the 1880's - at the hight of his career - he also submitted his work for numerous international exhibitions. In 1888 he visited London. His younger brother Hermanus Jun. had successfully started an Art Gallery there in 1880 in which he sold works by members of his family.

The present lot is a wonderful example of Willem Koekkoek's talent and skill. This view of a Dutch town is a fantasy composition. This so called capriccio view contains all the elements that made Willem Koekkoek one of the most sought after masters of the 19th Century.