ALBERT NEUHUYS
(Dutch 1844-1914)
On the Path
(Return from Church/ Le Retour d'Eglise)
Oil on canvas
53 x 40.25 inches/134.6 x 102.2 centimeters
Signed lower right "Alb. Neuhuys f."
Frame: 60 x 47.25 inches


PROVENANCE:
Artist circa 1885; to (?)
Mrs. Harry Bakwin, New York, May 14th 1946
Paul Metcalf, Los Angeles
The Honorable Alfred Gittelson, Los Angeles, 1972.


NOTE:

Born Johan Albertus Neuhuys in Utrecht, Holland on June 10, 1844, the artist died in Locarno, Switzerland February 6, 1914. Neuhuys is considered One (1) of the top painters of a group of artists defined as the Laren School, a group of painters in and around Holland and Belgium in the late 1800s through early 1900s. The artist held a deep profound attraction for the Dutch countryside and its people. In particular he held a special fascination for the young blond headed children from the Dutch villages and often the young mothers of these children. As in "On the Path" the artist hired young Dutch mothers with their children to model for him.

Neuhuys is best understood for his ability to capture the intensity of expression and a truth in character in his figures. It is not the things of nature that draw the viewer into this painting, but rather the things that seem unnatural. There is an odd almost palpable atmosphere in this painting where the solidity of the landscape is obfuscated by a hazy moist mist. The painting is richly expressive in mood and mental character and in great part the unspoken tension in On the Path illustrates the genius in Neuhuys best work.

The artist exhibited regularly winning dozens of prizes, medals and competitions in the last quarter of the 19th Century and into the 20th Century. He is easily in the top Five (5) most important Dutch painters from the late 19th Century and his work is found in all the major museums throughout Europe and in the United States and Canada. Neuhuys enjoyed huge popularity during his lifetime as an exceptional talent and celebrated artist. Since his death his best work befitting a master talent has gone into institutions and public museums. A painting of the size and quality such as On the Path has not been available for acquisition in many decades and in fact in terms of quality, it would easily fall into the artist's top few works of art of all time.

LITERATURE:
E. Benezit, Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs, Paris, 1999, vol. 6 (MATO-POUSSIN), p. 340 (Exhibiton History to a Mrs. Harry Bakwin, May 14th, 1946, listed as Le Retour de l'Eglise).

CONDITION REPORT: The original canvas was re-lined approximately 30 plus years ago. The binding medium does not appear to be wax but rather rabbit skin glue. Partial tacking edges in part but 90% removed. Canvas lined and on heavy replacement cross bar stretcher. Uniform surface cracking throughout upper sky portion of canvas. Isolated areas of surface cracking and areas of paint shrinkage throughout. Some areas of artist brushwork remain particularly in landscape portions of canvas. ULTRAVIOLET ANALYSIS: There appears to be two separate restorations to canvas. Old select inpaints none large or severe throughout sky. Old select inpaints above head of mother and rather heavy handed old inpaint located in mouth area of child. New thin inpaint diagonally lower right corner (painting fell off wall in North Ridge earthquake causing surface scratch lower right corner) above signature area approx. 14 inches in length. Recommendation: It is our opinion that this canvas would benefit from being taken apart and reduced to its original canvas and remove all old inpaints and then rebuild with a new lining and new inpaints as required. The old inpaints appear to be fairly heavy handed and it is possible that the inpainted area could be significantly reduced in terms of total amount. FRAME: Period style replacement frame with light gilding, circa 1960.