Alex Cooper Auctioneers' upcoming auction on 29 August features a remarkable collection of 17th-century Dutch paintings by some of the era's most celebrated artists. The masterpieces were consigned from the Estate of Jonkvrouw Christine Jacoba Tjarda van Starkenborgh, the daughter of Jonkheer A.W.L. Tjarda van Starkenborgh, who served as the last Governor General of the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) prior to World War II, and his wife, Christine Marburg of Baltimore, Maryland. Christine's father, Theodore Marburg, was the American Ambassador to Belgium.
The museum-quality works were acquired and held by the family for 18 generations and remained in Baltimore until the passing of the last blood relative. The heirs have chosen to sell select pieces from the collection at this time as they are downsizing and selling the family home. Here are the highlights of the collection.
Dutch Coastal Scene by Abraham Willaerts was painted in 1640 on oil on panel. Willaerts was a famed Dutch Baroque painter and especially well-known for his fine harbour scenes. His work can be found today in museums throughout Europe.
This painting, Whaling Grounds in the Arctic Ocean, is by an artist of the Dutch School in the 17th century, after the style of Abraham Storck. Storck's highly sensationalised scenes of Mediterranean ports were known for their luminous colours, careful precision and fine landscape rendering.
Two important works by artists of the the Dutch School are Harbor Scene and Vessels Caught in a Squall, both from the 17th century. The Dutch Golden Age lasted from 1581-1672, from the establishment of the Dutch Republic until the French invasion.
During these 90 years, Dutch Baroque artworks were considered the leading representations of seascapes, still lifes and landscapes. Dramatic seascapes were used to reinforce the Netherlands' position as the major naval and trade power.
Ludolf Backhuysen was one of the most famous Dutch marine painters and often went out in an open boat to research the conditions for his paintings. His dedication to realism is depicted in his Dutch Vessels at Harbor and Dutch Ships in Rough Sea, both oil on panel.
Backhuysen's artworks were collected by famed patrons such as Cosimo de Medici, Peter the Great and other European royals.
In addition to these spectacular paintings, the sale will also feature nearly 400 lots of modern art, Chinese porcelain, Tiffany glass, antiques, furniture and more.
