Provenance
J. G. van Franckenstein; Sybouts; G. Leembruggen; J. -F. Gigoux; N. D. Goldsmid; J. G. van Franckenstein [Lugt 2987 (? see depatmental file), lower left, in black ink]; J. -F. Gigoux [Lugt 1164, lower left, in black ink]; N. D. Goldsmid [Lugt 1962, VERSO, lower left, in blue ink]
Accession Number
1929.538
Medium
point of brush and gray ink and brush and gray wash with traces of pen and black ink over traces of graphite; framing lines in brown ink
Dimensions
Sheet: 13.8 x 20.4 cm (5 7/16 x 8 1/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Credit Line
Dudley P. Allen Fund
Tags
Drawing Baroque (1600–1750) Ink Graphite & Pencil
Background & Context
Background Story
View of Alkmaar with Boats from the 1600s is an anonymous Dutch painting depicting the city of Alkmaar with boats, in the marine and topographical tradition that was one of the most popular types of Dutch Golden Age painting. The subject of a city view with boats—combining the topographical accuracy of the city view with the marine painting tradition of depicting boats—was a popular subject in 17th-century Dutch painting, reflecting the importance of maritime trade and the pride that Dutch cities took in their ports and waterways. The 1600s date places this in the Dutch Golden Age, when the marine and city view traditions were among the most popular types of painting in the Netherlands.
Cultural Impact
View of Alkmaar with Boats is an example of the marine and city view tradition that was one of the most popular types of Dutch Golden Age painting. The Dutch tradition of depicting cities with their ports and waterways—combining topographical accuracy with the marine painting tradition—reflected the importance of maritime trade and the pride that Dutch cities took in their commercial prosperity, and the 1600s painting shows this tradition at its most characteristic.
Why It Matters
View of Alkmaar with Boats is an anonymous Dutch Golden Age painting: the city of Alkmaar depicted with boats in the marine and city view tradition that was one of the most popular types of 17th-century Dutch painting. The painting shows the Dutch pride in maritime trade and commercial prosperity that made city views with boats such popular subjects.
