ID number: BIRBI-74.2 Institution: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts Artist / Maker: Witte, Emanuel de (1615/7-1691/2) Title / Object name: Interior of the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam Object type: Painting
Culture: Dutch Date made: the 1680s Materials: Oil on canvas Measurements: 83.5 x 66.5 cm unframed; 97.9 x 82.7 x 5cm framed Provenance: Dr. Alfons Jaffé, Netherlands, seized by the Dienststelle Mühlmann (the Nazi looting agency in the Netherlands) in 1940, restituted to Dr Jaffé in 1947; Jaffé sale, Sotheby's, 25 February 1948 (lot 12, purchased by W. Duits; Christie's, 29 November 1974 (lot 32); Purchased from Christie's in 1974 for £10,700.
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De Witte painted over forty views of the Old Church in Amsterdam, including others taken from this viewpoint by the side entrance at the west end. From here, with the sun shining from behind, a man casts a prominent shadow towards the preacher and his congregation. Above, shadows from the high windows appear on the opposite wall, enhancing the complex play of light and shade, volume and void. The artist specialised in architectural subjects, particularly market scenes and church interiors. As here, he restricted himself to a limited palette, punctuated by brilliant areas of light.
Inscriptions / Translations: Signed l.r: E. De Witte Ao 1 [final figures illegible]
Notes: Exhibited: 'Kunstschatten uit Nederlandse Verzamelingen', Museum Boymans, Rotterdam, 1955, no. 138.
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