Artwork

View of The Hague

View of The Hague, by Cornelis Springer, oil, 1852
View of The Hague, by Cornelis Springer, oil, 1852

View of The Hague is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Cornelis Springer. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work visually documents specific urban and natural elements, including the city of The Hague, a shoreline, a canal, a towpath, and a bridge.

Cornelis Springer's 1850 oil painting, View of The Hague, functions as a landscape depiction of the Dutch city and its immediate surroundings. The work visually documents specific urban and natural elements, including the city of The Hague, a shoreline, a canal, a towpath, and a bridge. These architectural and infrastructural features are set against a sky filled with clouds and accompanied by a windmill, characteristic of the region's geography.

As a landscape genre piece, the painting represents the everyday scenery of the mid-19th century, capturing the interplay between the built environment and the natural elements of the coast and waterways. The composition focuses on the tangible reality of the location rather than allegorical symbolism, presenting a direct visual record of the site's physical attributes.

Technique & Style

Executed by Cornelis Springer, this landscape work utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support. The painting, dated to approximately 1850 or potentially extending to 1852, measures 48 centimeters in height and 58 centimeters in width. As a representative piece of the landscape genre, the composition depicts specific elements of The Hague, including a shore, canal, towpath, bridge, and windmill set against a sky with clouds.

The combination of oil medium and canvas allows for the detailed rendering of these urban and natural features characteristic of Springer's approach to cityscapes during this period.

History & Provenance

The work titled View of The Hague was created by Cornelis Springer in 1850 as an oil painting on canvas, classified as a landscape. According to the documented record, the painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. No evidence of a specific commission or patron is noted in the available sources; its creation is attributed to Springer’s artistic practice during that period.

The dating is based on dated entries in the provenance record, which place the work between 1850 and early 1852. The painting’s dimensions are recorded as 48 × 58 cm, and its subject matter includes the shoreline, canal, towpath, bridge, sky, clouds, and a windmill in The Hague.

Cornelis Springer's oil painting View of The Hague is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work, created between 1850 and 1852, is cataloged as a landscape painting on canvas. While the museum location is confirmed, the provided sources do not specify a unique inventory or accession number for the piece.

Additionally, the available documentation contains no records regarding the painting's exhibition history, leaving its public display timeline undocumented in these references.

Context

View of The Hague (1850) is an oil on canvas landscape by Cornelis Springer, measuring 48 × 58 cm, that portrays the city’s shoreline, canal, towpath, bridge, sky, clouds, and a windmill. The work is catalogued as a painting and landscape genre piece in the Rijksmuseum collection, where it remains on display. As a representative example of mid‑19th‑century Dutch urban landscape painting, it illustrates the detailed observational style characteristic of Springer’s output and contributes to the historical narrative of Dutch art’s transition from Romantic vedute to more realistic cityscapes.

Its inclusion in a national museum underscores its scholarly relevance as a documented instance of The Hague’s visual culture during the period.

Overview

Cornelis Springer's 1852 oil painting, View of The Hague, captures a tranquil landscape of the Dutch city. This work exemplifies the artist's focus on urban and canal scenes, often imbued with a sense of calm. The painting is a significant example of 19th-century Dutch landscape art, offering a glimpse into the everyday environment of the period. It is currently part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum.

View of The Hague from the Delftse Vaart in the 17th Century
View of The Hague from the Delftse Vaart in the 17th Century, Cornelis Springer

Artist & collection

Portrait of Cornelis Springer

Artist

Cornelis Springer

Cornelis Springer (1817–1891) was an artist, born in Amsterdam.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted View of The Hague?

View of The Hague was painted by Cornelis Springer in 1850-01-01.

Where can I see View of The Hague?

View of The Hague is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is View of The Hague?

View of The Hague is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of View of The Hague?

Museum-quality prints of View of The Hague are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.