What characterises 19th-century Dutch townscape paintings?

Nineteenth-century Dutch townscapes typically depict urban scenes, street markets, and architectural views of historical Netherlands towns. Painters of this genre focused on realistic depictions of masonry, play of light, cloud formations, and daily civic activities, drawing inspiration from Dutch Golden Age traditions.

What materials were traditionally used in 19th-century Dutch oil paintings?

Artists of this period applied oil pigments onto stretched cotton or linen canvas, as well as wooden panels. Frames were predominantly constructed from wood with composition moulding, finished with gold leaf gilding.

How can one identify an authentic 19th-century oil painting?

Authentic period paintings show natural age-related craquelure across the paint surface, consistent oxidisation on the reverse of the canvas or panel, and historical framing construction techniques such as lap joints and gilding wear.

How do you style a classic framed oil painting in modern interiors?

Position the painting as a focal point above a sideboard, mantelpiece, or console table. Pairing traditional artwork with contemporary lighting or modern furniture creates a balanced, layered aesthetic within traditional or minimalist spaces.

How should an antique oil painting and gilt frame be preserved?

Keep the artwork away from direct sunlight, fluctuating humidity, and heat sources. Dust the frame gently with a soft, dry brush and avoid chemical cleaners or water on both the painted canvas and the gilded frame surface.

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Id #SA1194751

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Townscape Oil Painting of Figures in a Dutch Street by Cornelis Christian Dommersen

19th century

For Sale by Benton Fine Art

Description

Cornelis Christian Dommersen

Dutch, (1842-1928)

Bustling Street Scene, Holland

Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1873

Image size: 14.5 inches x 11.5 inches

Size including frame: 20.5 inches x 17.5 inches

A wonderful street scene of a Dutch town by Cornelis Christian Dommersen. Two figures of a mother and daughter can be seen in the foreground walking down a busy market street, with sellers and their wares on either side. As other figures stop and chat behind them, a horse and cart tries to makes its way through the bustling crowd. In the distance the spire of a cathedral rises above the buildings.

Cornelis Christian Dommersen or Cornelis Christian Dommershuizen/Dommerhershuisen was born in Utrecht on 11 November, 1843 to Thomas Christian Dommershuizen and Cornelia Dammers. He was brought up into an artistic family by his mother who does not appear to have been married to his father at the time of his birth. His brother Pieter Cornelis Dommersen (1833-1918) was also an artist. His mother and other brother Thomas later became friends with Lawrence Alma-Tadema when he visited Holland. Although largely self-taught he would most likely have received tuition from his mother’s side of the family as well as his older brother Pieter.

Like his brother, Dommersen painted marine scenes as well as street scenes featuring important buildings or canals. In 1855, Cornelis and his brother Pieter moved to England where they decided to anglicise the family name to Dommersen. He lived with his brother in England at 18 Trinity Terrace, Brixton and by 1871 had moved to Hackney. They spent their time painting together and he would often accompany his brother on painting trips back to Holland as well as travelling to Belgium and France.

He began exhibiting in Amsterdam during the 1860’s and was also known to have exhibited in The Hague and Rotterdam. Sometime during 1870’s he moved back to Holland living in Amsterdam, whilst his brother remained in England. He continued to travel and on a visit to Belgium he met and married Henriette Jeanne Philippo.

At some point he moved to The Hague, possibly after the death of his first wife. On 26 May, 1904 at the age of 61 he married Carolina Maria Frederica Geus. Although married twice, there is no record of any children being born. Dommersen died at The Hague on 23 May, 1928. Examples of his work can be found at the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Bournemouth Museum.

Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having just been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

Physical Dimensions

Height

52cm (20.47")

Width

44.5cm (17.52")

Depth

6cm (2.36")

Declaration

Benton Fine Art has dated this Dutch Townscape Oil Painting to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1194751

Dealers Notes

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© Benton Fine Art

Description

Cornelis Christian Dommersen

Dutch, (1842-1928)

Bustling Street Scene, Holland

Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1873

Image size: 14.5 inches x 11.5 inches

Size including frame: 20.5 inches x 17.5 inches

A wonderful street scene of a Dutch town by Cornelis Christian Dommersen.

“

Two figures of a mother and daughter can be seen in the foreground walking down a busy market street, with sellers and their wares on either side.

Benton Fine Art

As other figures stop and chat behind them, a horse and cart tries to makes its way through the bustling crowd. In the distance the spire of a cathedral rises above the buildings.

fig 1. A 19th-century oil painting depicting figures on a Dutch street flanked by brick buildings, set within a carved gold frame. — fig 1. Townscape Oil Painting of Figures in a Dutch Street by Cornelis Christian Dommersen

Cornelis Christian Dommersen or Cornelis Christian Dommershuizen/Dommerhershuisen was born in Utrecht on 11 November, 1843 to Thomas Christian Dommershuizen and Cornelia Dammers. He was brought up into an artistic family by his mother who does not appear to have been married to his father at the time of his birth. His brother Pieter Cornelis Dommersen (1833-1918) was also an artist. His mother and other brother Thomas later became friends with Lawrence Alma-Tadema when he visited Holland. Although largely self-taught he would most likely have received tuition from his mother’s side of the family as well as his older brother Pieter.

fig 2. A 19th-century oil painting depicting figures on a Dutch street flanked by brick buildings, set within a carved gold frame. — fig 2. Townscape Oil Painting of Figures in a Dutch Street by Cornelis Christian Dommersen

Like his brother, Dommersen painted marine scenes as well as street scenes featuring important buildings or canals. In 1855, Cornelis and his brother Pieter moved to England where they decided to anglicise the family name to Dommersen. He lived with his brother in England at 18 Trinity Terrace, Brixton and by 1871 had moved to Hackney. They spent their time painting together and he would often accompany his brother on painting trips back to Holland as well as travelling to Belgium and France.

fig 3. A 19th-century oil painting depicting figures on a Dutch street flanked by brick buildings, set within a carved gold frame. — fig 3. Townscape Oil Painting of Figures in a Dutch Street by Cornelis Christian Dommersen

He began exhibiting in Amsterdam during the 1860’s and was also known to have exhibited in The Hague and Rotterdam. Sometime during 1870’s he moved back to Holland living in Amsterdam, whilst his brother remained in England. He continued to travel and on a visit to Belgium he met and married Henriette Jeanne Philippo.

fig 4. A 19th-century oil painting depicting figures on a Dutch street flanked by brick buildings, set within a carved gold frame. — fig 4. Townscape Oil Painting of Figures in a Dutch Street by Cornelis Christian Dommersen

At some point he moved to The Hague, possibly after the death of his first wife. On 26 May, 1904 at the age of 61 he married Carolina Maria Frederica Geus. Although married twice, there is no record of any children being born. Dommersen died at The Hague on 23 May, 1928. Examples of his work can be found at the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Bournemouth Museum.

fig 5. A 19th-century oil painting depicting figures on a Dutch street flanked by brick buildings, set within a carved gold frame. — fig 5. Townscape Oil Painting of Figures in a Dutch Street by Cornelis Christian Dommersen

Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having just been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.