Late 19th century Dutch family oil painting by Kaemmerer

Object Description

Late 19th century Dutch family oil painting by Kaemmerer
Dutch, c. 1878
Canvas: Height 110.5cm, width 75cm
Frame: Height 128cm, width 93cm, depth 8cm

This exquisite painting was created circa 1878 in Paris by the Dutch artist Frederik Hendrik Kaemmerer, in an elegant Directoire-revival style. Born in 1839, Kaemmerer began his career in the Romantic style before transitioning to Academic and later Impressionist influences, making him a versatile figure in 19th-century art.

The artwork captures a christening scene, immersing the viewer in the post-Revolutionary Directoire period of France. Through this poignant depiction, Kaemmerer skilfully juxtaposes the birth of a new political era with the arrival of a newborn, symbolising the dawn of a new age. This theme resonated deeply in the 1870s, particularly at the dawn of the Third French Republic, a time of significant political and social transformation.

The scene portrays a wealthy family descending a stone staircase, covered in an intricately woven rug. The figures, dressed in soft pastel hues, are rendered with extraordinary attention to detail, from the satin fabrics to the delicate lace, adding depth and texture. At the heart of the composition, a central female figure cradles a newborn, while to the far right, a young girl offers coins to a group of boys.

Following its creation, the painting was acquired by John Jacob Astor III (1822-1890), an influential American financier and philanthropist known for his art collection and pivotal role in founding the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The painting is signed ‘F.H. Kaemmerer’ in the lower right and the carved giltwood frame includes a plaque reading ‘The Christening / Frederick H. Kaemmerer’.

Boasting a distinguished provenance, this painting is a highly coveted addition to any fine art collection.

Object History

– With Goupil & Co., Paris, 1878
– With M. Knoedler & Co., New York, 8 November 1878
– From whom acquired by John Jacob Astor III, 25 November 1878
– Anonymous sale, New York, Christie’s, 2 November 1995, lot 146
– Anonymous sale, London, Christie’s, 3 December 2003, lot 7

Exhibited:
– Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum and Paris, Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris, The Dutch in Paris 1789–1914, 13 October 2017 – 7 January 2018 and 6 February – 13 May 2018, no. 119 (as Un baptême sous le directoire).

Object Literature

– G. Norman (ed.), Dutch Painters of the Nineteenth Century, Woodbridge 1973, p. 149
– M. Jonkman (ed.), The Dutch in Paris 1789–1914, exh. cat., Bussum 2017, p. 134, no. 119

Object Details