Lot 290: LIEVE PIETERSZ. VERSCHUIER

LIEVE PIETERSZ. VERSCHUIER ROTTERDAM CIRCA 1630 - 1686 MEDITERRANEAN COAST AT DAWN WITH A GALLIOT PREPARING TO UNLOAD ITS CARGO BY CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENTS, A FRIGATE BEING CAULKED BEYOND signed lower right, on a bundle: L.VER/SCHVIER 14 1/8 18 3/4 in.; 35.8 by 47.6 cm.

J. Giltaij, 'Lieve Verschuier', in Schatkammer, Veertien opstellen aangeboden aan Leo Akveld, Franeker 2002, p. 43, cat. no. 43.

Anonymous sale ("Property of a European Collector"), London, Christie's, 4 July 1997, lot 223;
There purchased by the present collector.

Active in Rotterdam in the mid seventeenth century, Verschuier was a painter of marine landscapes. His most distinctive compositions, however, depict dramatic scenes at sea, with emphasis on the atmospheric conditions. Similar to other works by the artist, the present panel employs unusual lighting effects, which show bright rays of sunlight emanating out of a small break in the dark clouds. His interest in light may have been inspired from a possible trip to Italy circa 1655, as suggested by Arnold Houbraken, Groote Schouburgh, III, 1721, p. 229.