Lot 283: Charley Toorop (1891-1955)

Witte Seringenboom signed 'C.Toorop' (lower left), and signed again, dated and inscribed with title 'Zomer 1939' (on the reverse) oil on canvas 100 x 80 cm. Executed circa 1939. PROVENANCE J. Moltzer, Rio de Janeiro LITERATURE A.M. Hammacher, Charley Toorop, Rotterdam 1952, no. 183 Nico J. Brederoo, Charley Toorop, Utrecht 1982, p. no. 361 NOTES The blossom paintings are a consistent part in Charley Toorop's oeuvre. Since 1934 she painted the fruittrees in her garden almost twice every year. In spring with their blossoms and in late summer when the fruit was ripe and the trees were full of apples and pears. It seems that she wanted to celebrate the new season and tried to stress the cycle of life. Characteristic in these works are the compact and close-up compositions. The canvas is completely filled with a tangle of branches.