1898 Foster Brothers H.W. Mesdag Print

Hendrik Willem Mesdag was born in 1831 in the Netherlands and after retiring from banking in his 30's, he transitioned to pursue a career as a painter. He received formal training in Brussels and moved to The Hague in 1870 to focus on painting the sea. He was fascinated by marine life and is best known for his nautical work. In 1870 he won the gold medal at the Paris Salon, the most prestigious art exhibition of the western world. He beautifully captured boats meeting the horizon and the luminescent qualities of the sky and sea.

In this work, as is characteristic for his style, he used many neutral tones and vividly captured the magic of dusk on the water. His approach to capturing the umbra and swelling texture of the clouds is magnificent and unrivaled. 

In 1898, the Foster Brothers, a Boston based company, known for exquisitely hand carved and gilded framing, made this print of the Mesdag painting. Embossed in the lower right corner of the work is the Foster Brothers mark and date. Additionally, the Foster Brothers seal is embossed above Mesdag's signature. 

Not only is this a historically significant piece, but it is also stunningly beautiful. Mesdag has captured the radiance of the early evening on the water, the serenity of gazing at the horizon and the moodiness of the life of a sailors work. The frame has notable chipping and ware in several areas, which shares with the viewer the sense of the passage of time. 

Print: 9"(W) x 7"(T)

Print with frame: 15.75"(W) x 14"(T)