An 18th-century work by the important artist Cornelis Troost, thought to be lost for years, was found out of nowhere by trader Tertius van Oosthuyzen. Shortly after the unveiling, the drawing of a traditional Sinterklaas-celebrating family was sold. The presentation of the work was today in art fair PAN.
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Art dealer Tertius van Oosthuyzen knew it had to be somewhere in the world, the lost work of Cornelis Troost, one of the most important Dutch artists of the eighteenth century. The original drawing had not been found since 1772. It briefly reappeared two years ago when it was loaned to the Teylers Museum, but then it quickly disappeared into an unknown private collection.
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Years of quest
Nevertheless, the drawing was widely known in the Netherlands. The performance, which shows how a wealthy family celebrates Sinterklaas, is one of the most reproduced prints in the Netherlands. It used to hang in many children’s rooms, and the picture is in several books. The Rijksmuseum also has an early copy. But the original? “After years of searching, it was a big mystery,” says Van Oosthuyzen. “Until I was with friends one night, and the miracle happened. They said they still had a work by Cornelis Troost in storage. And it was this work. A bizarre story.”
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It feels as if Sinterklaas brought his package evening forward. Especially now that Van Oosthuyzen can reveal that the work has already been sold shortly after the unveiling. The new owner will not be disclosed, and neither will the price. According to Van Oosthuyzen, there is a good chance that it will one day hang in a museum.
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Sinterklaas was celebrated with sweets, taaitaai and gingerbread dolls. Intended for children who were good, and of course there was also the roe
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Typical Dutch and wealthy family
The drawing shows how a wealthy Amsterdam family celebrates Sinterklaas, around 1740 in a canal house. The door is still open, which means that the Saint has just left. ,,Petes were not there to help yet. They came much later,” said art historian Charles Dumas. “Sinterklaas was celebrated with candy, chewy and gingerbread dolls. Intended for children who were good, and of course there was also the rod.”
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If you look closely at the painting, you will see that a typical Sinterklaas scene is going on. The boy on the floor is enjoying the candy, the girl is happy with a doll. “However, the maidservant on the far left is standing with a crying boy. In one hand she has sweets, but in her buckle shoe: the rod.” According to Dumas, the drawing had a lot of influence on the way the party was celebrated. The core of this somewhat edifying festival: to teach children diligence and obedience.
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Art historians also see in many details that this must be a typical Dutch and wealthy family. Father (right) wears a dressing gown, slippers and hat, as was customary at the time. On the table is a tap jug with sweet mocha coffee. The Persian carpet is protected by a ‘spill cloth’. The keys that the mother carries with her show that she is in charge of the household. “Tea is drunk. That was only reserved for the happy few.”
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That the painting has been found makes art historian Dumas happy. ,,It is not often that a work of art that has been thought lost for centuries suddenly resurfaces, but now that is the case. Troost is the most important Dutch artist of the eighteenth century. With this addition, we can increase our knowledge about him.”
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