Laverende zeilschepen voor de Zeeuwse Kust (Sailing Vessels in a Stiff Breeze, Zeeland) (1833)Signed and dated 1833 lower leftOil on canvas, 54.2 x 73.5 cmProvenance:- Kunsthandel Simonis & Buunk, Ede (inv.no. 8519/ko)- Private collection, the NetherlandsNote:Born in Veere on the Zeeland island of Walcheren, Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek was the head of an artistic family. Already around the age of twelve, Johannes Hermanus went to Middelburg to be apprenticed to the wallpaper painter Thomas Gaal (1739-1817). In addition, he attended classes at the Middelburg Drawing Academy in the evenings. His interest in drawing and painting ships and the sea was part of the prevailing painting tradition in watery Zeeland. Johannes Hermanus made painting ships in stormy weather, on scribbling waves, or on crystal-smooth water his specialty. As can be seen from this present lot, he painted these scenes with the greatest precision and provided them with a lively, narrative upholstery. His contemporaries reported that he made ship models that resembled every detail, for practise and study. He was praised for his realistic depictions of all kinds of ships.Johannes Hermanus became one of the most famous marine painters of his time, passing his talent on to four of his eight children.* Condition report available upon request