The Avenue at Middelharnis by Meyndert Hobbema, 1689
The unused postcard shared this week is art card with a painting titled, “The Avenue at Middelharnis,” by Meyndert or Meindert Hobbema, and dated 1689. The original oil on canvas painting measures 40 3/4 inches by 55 ½ inches and is found in the National Gallery, London, England. The card is numbered 1033 (830) at the lower right corner on the reverse. It was printed in Great Britain for the Trustees. This is another one of several cards shared by friends from an estate. The card dates from the 1960s.
Meyndert, sometimes spelled Meindert Hobbema was a Dutch Golden Age landscape artist who was born in 1638. He specialized in woodland views, although “Avenue of Middelharnis” is a slightly different scene. It is notable also for being a very accurate depiction of a specific spot. Looking closely at the lower right side of the painting it is possible to see a man tending the saplings. The addition of a man working the land was unusual in 17th century Dutch landscapes. Other figures are also discernible as well as known buildings in the background. This is Hobbema’s most famous painting. Hobbema was not well known in his lifetime but became more popular in later years. Not all of his paintings are signed and some have been passed off as the works of others of the same time period. He was married and had 5 children. His wife died in 1704 and was buried in the paupers’ section of the Leiden cemetery. Hobbema died in 1709 and was buried in the paupers’ section of the Westerkerk cemetery, Amsterdam.
Thanks go to K and J for sending the card.
For additional information, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meindert_Hobbema
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Avenue_at_Middelharnis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery
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