Albert Pieter Hahn, on the Way to Work, Early 20th-century Dutch Oil Painting

1900 - 1920

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

An early 20th-century oil on canvas depicting an older man walking to work by Dutch artist, Albert Pieter Hahn (1877-1918).

In the foreground, a figure is stooping with a heavy case slung over his right shoulder. He’s walked this track for many years with his trusty dog by his side. While in the background, an old gasworks is gently illuminated under a purple sky - the clouds are breaking at first light, creating an unusual mood.

Albert Pieter Hahn was a Dutch political cartoonist, poster artist and book cover designer - well known for his anti-capitalist views. He’s considered to be the greatest political illustrator that Holland has produced and his oil paintings are particularly rare.

He grew up in a working-class family that lived close to the poverty line and he encountered several bouts of ill health during his childhood. This adversity seems to have stirred his admiration for the working classes, which in turn led to his political activism later in life.

Hahn believed that art should be enjoyed by everyone so he sought to create illustrations that were easy to understand. This approach, coupled with his witty observations, resulted in a broad range of commissions from various newspapers, magazines and private companies. His work during World War I was particularly poignant.

This piece seems to capture Hahn’s spirit and epitomise the respect he had for the everyday working man. It’s signed in the lower right and housed within a gilded foliate frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 25” x 22” / 63cm x 56cm

Year of creation: 1916

Provenance: Germany

Condition: Artwork in good condition. Frame with some minor losses.

Physical Dimensions

Height

56cm (22.05")

Width

63cm (24.80")

Depth

4cm (1.57")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA727892

Description

An early 20th-century oil on canvas depicting an older man walking to work by Dutch artist, Albert Pieter Hahn (1877-1918).

In the foreground, a figure is stooping with a heavy case slung over his right shoulder. He’s walked this track for many years with his trusty dog by his side.

“

While in the background, an old gasworks is gently illuminated under a purple sky - the clouds are breaking at first light, creating an unusual mood.

Brave Fine Art

fig 1. Albert Pieter Hahn, On The Way To Work, Early 20th-Century Dutch Oil Painting — fig 1. Albert Pieter Hahn, on the Way to Work, Early 20th-century Dutch Oil Painting

Albert Pieter Hahn was a Dutch political cartoonist, poster artist and book cover designer - well known for his anti-capitalist views. He’s considered to be the greatest political illustrator that Holland has produced and his oil paintings are particularly rare.

fig 2. Albert Pieter Hahn, On The Way To Work, Early 20th-Century Dutch Oil Painting — fig 2. Albert Pieter Hahn, on the Way to Work, Early 20th-century Dutch Oil Painting

He grew up in a working-class family that lived close to the poverty line and he encountered several bouts of ill health during his childhood. This adversity seems to have stirred his admiration for the working classes, which in turn led to his political activism later in life.

fig 3. Albert Pieter Hahn, On The Way To Work, Early 20th-Century Dutch Oil Painting — fig 3. Albert Pieter Hahn, on the Way to Work, Early 20th-century Dutch Oil Painting

Hahn believed that art should be enjoyed by everyone so he sought to create illustrations that were easy to understand. This approach, coupled with his witty observations, resulted in a broad range of commissions from various newspapers, magazines and private companies. His work during World War I was particularly poignant.

fig 4. Albert Pieter Hahn, On The Way To Work, Early 20th-Century Dutch Oil Painting — fig 4. Albert Pieter Hahn, on the Way to Work, Early 20th-century Dutch Oil Painting

This piece seems to capture Hahn’s spirit and epitomise the respect he had for the everyday working man. It’s signed in the lower right and housed within a gilded foliate frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 25” x 22” / 63cm x 56cm

Year of creation: 1916

Provenance: Germany