Artwork
In Later Life
In Later Life is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist August Allebé. It dates from 1863 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
Formal qualities include a restrained, balanced arrangement of forms and a subdued, earth-toned palette that underscores the painting’s contemplative character.
The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support, with the paint applied in smooth, blended passages typical of mid-19th-century Dutch genre painting. The handling emphasizes quiet naturalism, with careful attention to light and texture in the figures’ garments and the surrounding domestic interior. The composition is framed within a modest, upright format, and the subdued palette contributes to the scene’s restrained, intimate mood.
Formal qualities include a restrained, balanced arrangement of forms and a subdued, earth-toned palette that underscores the painting’s contemplative character.
History & Provenance
August Allebé created the oil painting In Later Life in 1863. Executed on a panel measuring 28.5 cm by 21.5 cm, the work depicts a genre scene. The painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held. Historical records indicate that the work was once owned by Daniel Franken.
In Later Life is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work was previously owned by Daniel Franken. Painted in 1863 on panel, it measures 28.5 cm in height by 21.5 cm in width. No exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.
No accession number or specific exhibition records are documented in the provided sources.
Overview
In Later Life is a 1863 oil painting by August Allebé, a Dutch artist and educator. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a woman in dark clothing and a white headscarf standing on a snowy street, holding a bowl. Her blurred face and downcast eyes convey a sense of hardship, and her attire and actions suggest she may be begging or collecting alms.
Context
Allebé was a key figure in Amsterdam Impressionism, influencing a generation of Dutch painters through his teaching at the Royal Academy of Amsterdam and his role in establishing the St. Lucas artists' association.
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Artist & collection
Artist
August Allebé was an artist and teacher from the Northern Netherlands. His early paintings were in a romantic style, but in his later work he was an exponent of realism and impressionism. He was a major initiator and…
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