Lot 173: Hendrik Reekers (Dutch, 1815-1854)

A still life with dahlias, hollyhocks and other flowers in a glass vase and fruit on a gilt tazza signed and dated 'H. Reekers. 1851.' (lower left) oil on panel 76 x 59.5 cm. NOTES Hendrik Reekers, a native from Haarlem, was taught the art of flower painting by his father Johannes Reekers at a young age. In the early 1830's his artistic skills were very much admired by the local professional gardeners, who commissioned drawings of their flowers. The general appreciation for his paintings developed in the late 1830's, culminating in a silver medal at the Tentoonstelling van Leevende Meesters in The Hague in 1841. From 1841 to 1846 Reekers lived in Brussels, from where he made various visits to Paris. In his Brussels years, Reekers painted several still lifes for the artdealer C.J. Nieuwenhuijs. The latter had originally commissioned sixteen works by the artist, but Reekers was only able to deliver a mere four. This anecdote, told by H. Gerlings in a speech which he delivered in the 1860's, illustrates the fact that Reekers was a serious and slow worker, who took his time to finish his paintings. Together with the fact that the artist died at a relatively young age, the oeuvre that he left behind is relatively small. It is therefore truly remarkable that two beautiful examples of his skills are included in this sale. For further information on the artist, see: H. Gerlings, De Haarlemsche Bloem schilder Hendrik Reekers, Verhandeling ingeleverd in de Rederijkamer De Wijngaardranken (recorded in the R.K.D., The Hague).