Johannes Rosierse
Abundance by Johannes Rosierse
19th century

About the Item

Johannes Rosierse 1818 – 1901 | Netherlands Abundance Signed “J. Rosierse” (lower right) Oil on canvas Captivating and mysterious, this dynamic painting by Johannes Rosierse demonstrates the artist's mastery of chiaroscuro in his evocative nighttime scenes. Illuminated by the flame of a single candle and the diffused light of the bright moon in the distance, this shadowy scene depicts an evening exchange at a Dutch night market. A merchant’s abundant display of a variety of colorful produce takes the focus of the composition, with the sparse light highlighting the bright red hues of a bowl of strawberries, the green leaves of fresh lettuces, and the waxy surfaces of lemons and oranges. A small group of shoppers – an older figure, a mother type and two small children – stop at the merchant’s stall, taking a gander at the cornucopia of goods she has to offer. One of the children, with a face illuminated by candlelight, looks with bright, hungry eyes at the tantalizing bowl of fruit. Rosierse takes care to render a plethora of surfaces and textures with detail while utilizing a naturalistic palette that reflects the low light of the evening scene. The artist expertly employs the hazy diffused light and sfumato effect to capture the shroud of night and the dim glow of candlelight. The enigmatic spire rising in the background and backlit by the bright moon adds to the scene’s enigmatic appeal and further showcases Rosierse’s mastery of light in his mysterious tenebristic scenes. This particular exquisite composition is housed in an elaborate giltwood and gesso frame from the original period bearing an attached metal bar inscribed with the name of the artist. Rosierse is celebrated today as one of the great masters of light and atmosphere and, his nighttime market scenes have garnered substantial attention and acclaim. Born in 1818, the Dutch artist primarily focused on genre scenes with special attention to dark, candlelit compositions. He focused on individual figures, or on groups arranged by candlelight in dark interiors or night markets. He frequently painted kitchens, presenting a synopsis of food such as fruits and vegetables en passant. Works of the artist can be seen in the museum of his hometown Dordrecht, as well as in Musée Fabre in the Southern French Montpellier. 19th century Canvas: 32 ⅝” high by 25 ½” wide Frame: 38 ¾” high by 30 ⅝” wide by 3 ⅞” deep

Creator:

Johannes Rosierse (Belgian)

Creation Year:

19th century

Dimensions:

Height: 38.75 in (98.43 cm)Width: 30.63 in (77.81 cm)Depth: 3.88 in (9.86 cm)

Medium:

Canvas,Oil

Movement & Style:

Baroque

Period:

19th Century