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| Title | Amsterdam | |
| Collection | Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport | |
| Artist | Koekkoek, Willem (Dutch, 1839-1895) | |
| Date Earliest | probably about 1878 | |
| Date Latest | 1895 | |
| Signed | yes | |
| Description | Willem Koekkoek was born in Amsterdam, where he lived and worked for the greater part of his life. He died there in 1895. He was the son of Hermanus Koekkoek, the well-known marine painter and, with his brother, Johannes Hermann Barend Koekkoek, he received lessons and encouragement from his father. The Koekkoek family was highly regarded as an artistic dynasty in Amsterdam, spanning three generations. Willem Koekkoek originally worked as an architect and had tremendous success. It was only when he moved to The Hague in 1878 that he took up the family tradition of painting. He is best known for his winter street scenes. Although architectural influences are evident, he introduces figures and animals, which show careful observation. His favourite subject was his native Holland. His style is recognisably Dutch, but his handling of colour and shade, notably strong green highlights, is particularly individual. During his life Willem Koekkoek was widely collected in Great Britain and he visited London in 1888. | |
| Current Accession Number | 1970.1258 | |
| Inscription | front lr 'W Koek Koek' | |
| Subject | place (Amsterdam) | |
| Measurements | 63 x 93 cm (estimate) | |
| Material | oil on canvas | |
| Acquisition Details | Transferred from Botanic Gardens Museum 1970. | |
| Provenance | Presented to Botanic Gardens Museum 1939. | |
| Notes | This painting matches closely in subject and style his other works. The Koekkoek family is well represented in Dutch and German museums and there are also works in Glasgow, New York (Met. Mus) and Sheffield. | |
| Rights Owner | Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport, Sefton M.B.C. Leisure Services | |
| Author | Lisa Howard | |