What defines nineteenth-century Dutch seascape painting?

Nineteenth-century Dutch seascape art evolved from the Golden Age maritime tradition, focusing on realistic coastal light, detailed fishing vessels, atmospheric cloudscapes, and everyday life along the shorelines of the Low Countries.

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

Artists typically painted with natural pigment-based oil paints on stretched linen or cotton canvas, occasionally using wooden panels. Frames were constructed from carved timber finished with plaster compositions and gold leaf gilding.

How can you identify authentic Dutch marine oil paintings from this era?

Authentic works often feature fine painterly brushwork, craquelure consistent with age, period stretching bars, contemporary framer labels, and artist signatures or monograms near the lower edges of the canvas.

How do you style a classic framed seascape artwork in a modern interior?

A gilded maritime landscape creates a focal point when placed above a fireplace mantel, side cabinet, or console table, serving as a classical contrast against dark muted paint shades or neutral panelled walls.

How should an antique framed canvas be cleaned and preserved?

Position the artwork away from direct sunlight, dampness, and heat sources. Clean the gilded frame gently with a soft dry feather duster, avoiding liquids or chemical solvents on the canvas surface.

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Seascape Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by a Dutch Shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen

Name: Seascape Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by a Dutch Shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA796712
Price: 8950 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Benton Fine Art

Description

Pieter Cornelis Dommersen

Dutch, (1833-1918)

Launching the Boat

Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1861

Image size: 23 inches x 41 inches

Size including frame: 29.75 inches x 47.75 inches

A beautifully painted marine scene of a boat being launched from a Dutch shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen. In the foreground, fishermen can be seen heaving a boat into the water as others look on. Beyond the beach, a number of ships are shown moored next to a windmill whilst further ships are depicted sailing around the harbour.

Pieter Cornelis Dommersen was born Pieter Cornelis Dommershuizen or Dommerhershuisen on 6 December, 1833 in Utrecht, Holland. Little is known about his father and he appears to have been brought up solely by his mother Cornelia into an artistic family. His younger brother was the artist Cornelis Christian Dommersen (1842-1928). His mother and other brother Thomas later became friends with Lawrence Alma-Tadema when he visited Holland.

Dommersen made his debut in 1853 exhibiting at galleries in The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Having already established himself as an artist specialising in marine and coastal scenes he made the decision to move to England in 1855 with his brother Cornelis. He anglicised the family name to Dommersen as a matter of convenience, but although he became a British subject, this was never changed by deed poll.

He married Anna Petronella Sijnja, from Amsterdam on 29 January 1859 and together they had 4 children. His eldest son William Raymond Dommersen (1859-1927) became a marine and landscape artist. The family initially lived in the Brixton area of London before moving to Hackney. He continued to exhibit in Holland but from 1865 exhibited at the Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists and the British Institution. He also exhibited at other smaller galleries including the Old Bond Street Gallery.

By 1881, Dommersen had moved to the East End area of London living at Buxton Road in West Ham. However, by the turn of the century he had moved to 3 Woodlands Road in Leytonstone where he spent some considerable time. Although he based himself in England, he also travelled extensively around Europe to Belgium, Holland, France and was often accompanied by his son on his painting trips. Dommersen died in Hexham, Northumberland on 18 November, 1918.

Examples of his paintings can be found at the Amsterdam Museum, Brighton & Hove Museum, The Hague Museum, Northampton Museum, Rotterdam Museum, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and the Utrecht 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

75.5cm (29.72")

Width

120cm (47.24")

Depth

6.5cm (2.56")

Declaration

Benton Fine Art has dated this Dutch Seascape Oil Painting to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA796712

Dealers Notes

Members of the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) the London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association (LAPADA).

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Viewing is by APPOINTMENT ONLY. However, we can also arrange for you to view the item in your home, depending on the location.

For a wider range of stock please visit www.bentonfineart.com.

If you would like to purchase this item or have any questions, please email us at pictures@bentonfineart.com or call 07710 540549.

© Benton Fine Art

Description

Pieter Cornelis Dommersen

Dutch, (1833-1918)

Launching the Boat

Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1861

Image size: 23 inches x 41 inches

Size including frame: 29.75 inches x 47.75 inches

“

A beautifully painted marine scene of a boat being launched from a Dutch shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen.

Benton Fine Art

In the foreground, fishermen can be seen heaving a boat into the water as others look on. Beyond the beach, a number of ships are shown moored next to a windmill whilst further ships are depicted sailing around the harbour.

fig 1. A nineteenth-century oil painting depicting Dutch fishing vessels and people on a sandy shore under a cloudy blue sky, enclosed in a gilded frame. — fig 1. Seascape Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by a Dutch Shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen

Pieter Cornelis Dommersen was born Pieter Cornelis Dommershuizen or Dommerhershuisen on 6 December, 1833 in Utrecht, Holland. Little is known about his father and he appears to have been brought up solely by his mother Cornelia into an artistic family. His younger brother was the artist Cornelis Christian Dommersen (1842-1928). His mother and other brother Thomas later became friends with Lawrence Alma-Tadema when he visited Holland.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century oil painting depicting Dutch fishing vessels and people on a sandy shore under a cloudy blue sky, enclosed in a gilded frame. — fig 2. Seascape Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by a Dutch Shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen

Dommersen made his debut in 1853 exhibiting at galleries in The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Having already established himself as an artist specialising in marine and coastal scenes he made the decision to move to England in 1855 with his brother Cornelis. He anglicised the family name to Dommersen as a matter of convenience, but although he became a British subject, this was never changed by deed poll.

fig 3. A nineteenth-century oil painting depicting Dutch fishing vessels and people on a sandy shore under a cloudy blue sky, enclosed in a gilded frame. — fig 3. Seascape Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by a Dutch Shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen

He married Anna Petronella Sijnja, from Amsterdam on 29 January 1859 and together they had 4 children. His eldest son William Raymond Dommersen (1859-1927) became a marine and landscape artist. The family initially lived in the Brixton area of London before moving to Hackney. He continued to exhibit in Holland but from 1865 exhibited at the Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists and the British Institution. He also exhibited at other smaller galleries including the Old Bond Street Gallery.

fig 4. A nineteenth-century oil painting depicting Dutch fishing vessels and people on a sandy shore under a cloudy blue sky, enclosed in a gilded frame. — fig 4. Seascape Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by a Dutch Shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen

By 1881, Dommersen had moved to the East End area of London living at Buxton Road in West Ham. However, by the turn of the century he had moved to 3 Woodlands Road in Leytonstone where he spent some considerable time. Although he based himself in England, he also travelled extensively around Europe to Belgium, Holland, France and was often accompanied by his son on his painting trips. Dommersen died in Hexham, Northumberland on 18 November, 1918.

fig 5. A nineteenth-century oil painting depicting Dutch fishing vessels and people on a sandy shore under a cloudy blue sky, enclosed in a gilded frame. — fig 5. Seascape Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by a Dutch Shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen

Examples of his paintings can be found at the Amsterdam Museum, Brighton & Hove Museum, The Hague Museum, Northampton Museum, Rotterdam Museum, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and the Utrecht Museum.

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

fig 6. A nineteenth-century oil painting depicting Dutch fishing vessels and people on a sandy shore under a cloudy blue sky, enclosed in a gilded frame. — fig 6. Seascape Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by a Dutch Shore by Pieter Cornelis Dommersen

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.